Storage Basins and Ponds

Attenuation basins and ponds are one of the largest types of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) we can build. Their main job is to hold back rainwater during heavy storms and then release it slowly into the drains. This helps prevent flooding further down the system.

These basins or ponds can be made to look natural (soft landscaping) or more built-up (hard landscaping). Some of them always have water in them (ponds), while others only fill up when it rains a lot (basins).

• Ponds can support wildlife and nature, and be mindful places to visit.
• Basins, if designed well, can be used for community activities. For example, in Copenhagen, some basins have been turned into football pitches, performance areas, or even skate parks when they’re dry.

Local Examples

In Newcastle, we’ve built a SuDS basin at Kenton Bar School (pictured) that can also be used as a forest school. Another large basin on the Town Moor can hold 9,000 cubic metres of water back from flowing towards homes and the city centre… that’s almost 4 Olympic swimming pools!

Sometimes, when there isn’t enough space on the surface, we can build underground tanks to store water. These don’t offer the same wildlife or community benefits, but they’re useful in tight spaces.