Stormwater resources development and management in Glasgow: Two case studies

The 'Glasgow Surface Water Management Project' is Glasgow City Council's contribution to the Transformation of Rural and Urban Spatial Structure (TRUST) project, one of the European Union's (EU) inter-regional (INTERREG IIIB) funded research projects. This project assesses how sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) can contribute to relieving stress on the current predominantly combined sewer system. Fifty-seven sites within Glasgow were assessed with a novel SUDS feasibility tool that can be used for stormwater resources assessment, development, planning and management in developed and developing countries. Two environmental desk studies incorporating historical planning issues that are relevant for regeneration were undertaken. A combination of infiltration trenches or swales with ponds or underground storage were the most likely SUDS options for the majority of the areas studied. The drainage of the Lillyburn Place area should be dominated by infiltration trenches draining into a nearby burn during extreme rainfall events. The drainage of the Ruchill Hospital and Park area should be dominated by a single network of swales conveying water either into underground storage tanks or retention ponds. The runoff will ultimately drain into a sewer or canal. The Ruchill Hospital and Park area was selected as being the prime choice for the TRUST demonstration project.