There is an increasing demand within the stormwater and drainage sector to assess and understand more about the environmental, social and economic impacts of sufficient stormwater management. SuDS offer significant advantages in terms of biodiversity and stormwater quality. Precast SuDS can contribute positively to all these aspects when employed independently or as part of a multi-functional SuDS solution.
Carbon Footprint
All concrete pipeline systems in the UK are manufactured to DC-4 chemical design exposure class. This would require a significant proportion of the Portland cement to be replaced by pulverised fly ash (PFA), a by-product from coal-fired stations, or Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS), a by-product from the steel industry. This can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete significantly. In 2011, concrete pipeline systems’ manufacturers carried out a research project, with help from consultants Carbon Clear, to understand the carbon footprint of their products compared to other alternatives in the market. The study was peer reviewed by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). The study proved that DN2100 concrete pipe have a 35% lower carbon footprint (CO2e) compared to alternatives made of HDPE (more information can be found here). The study also helped BPDA members understand the major advantages associated with the use of precast base manhole systems (first introduced in the UK around 10 years ago). Since then, the Cradle-to-Gate carbon footprint of concrete pipeline products have dropped by 9%.
Other sustainability benefits
There are many other benefits associated with the use of precast SuDS solutions, such as local sourcing of raw materials, which is all manufactured under ISO 14001 and BES 6001 certified systems, benefits associated with recyclability/ reusability at the End-of-Life, and reduced embodied water compared to other alternatives. Find out more about the sustainability benefits of precast concrete products here.
