What is surface water drainage?

When water gathers where it shouldn’t, it can become a powerful and destructive force. For businesses, communities, and the environment alike, managing surface water drainage is critical for safety, compliance, and long-term sustainability.

At Turtle Enviro, we see the challenges that unchecked surface water runoff presents and are committed to providing innovative solutions, like our revolutionary Gulliblok system, to help mitigate issues.

Understanding surface water runoff

When rain falls, it’s absorbed by the soil, taken up by plants or slowly evaporates. This natural process effectively manages water. But in our modern, built environment, where vast expanses of concrete and asphalt dominate the landscape, these impervious surfaces prevent water from soaking into the ground. Instead, the rainwater collects and flows across these surfaces. Surface water runoff is caused by:

• Roads, car parks, pavements, roofs, and other hard surfaces are common in urban and industrial areas
• Heavy downpours that overwhelm natural absorption rates and traditional drainage systems
• Construction and developments that change natural gradients, directing water flow in unintended ways
• Compact soil prevents unpaved areas’ ability to absorb water

Effective surface water drainage is important, as uncontrolled surface water runoff can impact everything from operational efficiency to ecological health. For businesses, this translates to:

• Flooded premises resulting in operational downtime
• Costly repairs to buildings, equipment, and infrastructure
• Health and safety hazards, including slip and fall risks and electrical dangers

Beyond visible flooding, there are other, more negative consequences. As surface water flows over hard surfaces, it picks up a cocktail of pollutants. This includes oil, grease, chemicals, litter, fertilisers, pesticides, and heavy metals. This contaminated runoff then enters our drains, rivers and ultimately, our oceans.

Runoff carries loose soil, sand and other particulate matter (silt and sediment) from construction sites, unpaved areas, and eroded landscapes. This material accumulates in drainage systems, gutters, and water bodies.

Silt and sediment are a primary cause of blockages in gully pots and drainage pipes, reducing their capacity and leading to more frequent flooding. Regular cleaning and dredging of drainage systems becomes necessary, incurring significant expense. Furthermore, sediment can smother aquatic vegetation, reduce water clarity, and harm fish and other aquatic organisms.

Traditional approaches and their limitations

Common surface water drainage systems often rely on a network of gullies, drains and pipes designed to collect and convey water away from critical areas. While these systems are fundamental, they often have inherent limitations when it comes to managing pollutants.

Standard gully pots are designed to capture large debris, but they are generally ineffective at filtering out fine sediments, oils, and other soluble pollutants. Many traditional systems also direct runoff straight into the public sewer network or local watercourses, carrying pollutants directly with them.

Furthermore, common surface water drainage systems can become a major maintenance burden, as blockages from leaves, litter and sediment are common, requiring frequent and often costly manual cleaning.

Without effective pre-treatment at the source, the burden of pollution control falls further down the line, often at wastewater treatment plants that aren’t designed for this type of runoff, or directly into the environment.

Introducing Gulliblok: A smarter solution for water surface drainage

Recognising these challenges, we have developed Gulliblok, an innovative solution meticulously crafted to combat the intrusion of silt and solids into our vital waterways through road gullies during all phases of construction. This robust gully pot insert provides advanced filtration and separation capabilities, turning a traditional gully into a powerful pollution interceptor.

The foundation of this advanced solution is the Blok filter, an innovative block made from 100% recycled thermoplastic material. This sustainable component is strategically installed at the bottom of the filter basket, ensuring that all water flow must pass through it before entering the waterways. This cutting-edge filtration system is scientifically proven to capture and prevent up to 99% of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) from entering the watercourse. This includes filtering out silt particles as small as 30 micrometres (0.03 millimetres), playing a pivotal role in safeguarding water quality and preventing pollution incidents.

The Gulliblok is designed for easy use. Its hydraulic design efficiently manages drainage for surface areas of up to 120 m² and adapts seamlessly to various surface finishes. The robust filter basket offers an impressive maximum capacity of 21 kg.

One of its standout features is its low-maintenance design. Unlike traditional gully pots, it does not require an expensive gully sucker for cleaning. The filter can be easily removed, cleaned, and reinstalled manually, saving both time and operational costs while ensuring continuous protection against sediment and pollutants.

How Gulliblok can support your business

Effective water surface drainage isn’t just an environmental concern; it’s a fundamental aspect of operational excellence and corporate responsibility. Gulliblok promotes:

• A cleaner and safer site by preventing flooding and managing pollutants. Reduced standing water means fewer slip hazards and a more professional appearance.
• A proactive commitment to environmental stewardship. This technology avoids potential fines and reputational damage by ensuring your surface water discharges are compliant.
• Long-term savings from fewer drainage blockages and lower maintenance requirements.

Take control of your water surface drainage

Don’t let uncontrolled runoff threaten your business or the environment. Take proactive steps to manage your site’s surface water drainage effectively.

Watch our animated video of the Gulliblok in action here or find out more about it’s advantages by contacting our expert team.