Yorkshire Water Schools Partnership
Project Details
Sector: Education
Location: Yorkshire
Date: March 2025
Situation
Yorkshire Water provided SuDSPlanter® systems to 15 primary schools and one city farm, in areas where wider flood alleviation measures were underway. Planters were installed in towns and cities across Yorkshire, including Leeds, Rotherham and Doncaster, as part of the utility’s Storm Spill Reduction Programme.
Water companies must reduce storm overflows in the 2025-2030 investment period. Regulatory expectations place strong emphasis on nature-based solutions, as well as community engagement and climate resilience – making schools ideal partners for sustainable drainage projects.
Schools can be particularly prone to flooding, due to their extensive hard-surfaced areas. In 2021, the UK government warned that nearly 15,000 schools would be at significant risk from flooding by 2050.
Task
Primary objectives:
- Implement SuDS to reduce flood risk and manage stormwater effectively at selected sites.
- Reduce risk of surface water flooding on school grounds.
- Enhance on-site biodiversity and create green spaces for environmental education.
- Engage young people in environmental stewardship and water conservation.
Action
Design and Installation:
Supplied 49 SuDSPlanter® units designed to capture and manage rainwater runoff at strategic locations. Designs were tailored for individual sites, based on the square-meterage of each roof and the calculated volumes of rainwater expected to drain into the system. Each system was bespoke in design, comprising between one and five planters. Suitable plants were selected by Sudsplanter landscaping experts, based on location and aspect. Additional creative components such as cloud trays, cascade features and watering cans provided. Installations took between one and two days per site, followed by one day for education engagement and planting.
Educational integration:
Schools received a key stage 1-4 education pack and plant handbook, developed by SuDSPlanter’s environmental specialists. The provision of educational resources supports learning in topics such as the water cycle, water-saving, weather and climate change, gardening, growing and caring for the natural world.
Partnership development:
Built positive partnerships with schools, helping to establish an enduring SuDS culture among students and staff. This collaboration facilitated awareness-raising activities and highlighted the importance of sustainable water management in schools.
Result
Flood reduction:
Fully connected and in operation, the 49 SuDSPlanter® units can capture a total of 18,700 litres of rain – a significant volume kept out of the sewers during storms. This has reduced the risk of localised flooding, pollution and CSO spills. The risk of surface water flooding on school hard surfaces has also decreased.
Increased Biodiversity:
New green spaces and wildlife habitats created in 16 locations, contributing to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) within urban settings.
Educational Opportunities:
The provision of educational resources supports learning in topics such as the water cycle, water-saving, weather and climate change, gardening, growing and caring for the natural world.
Enhanced wellbeing:
New spaces have potential to positively impact the health and wellbeing of users, encourage physical activity and enthusiasm for nature and the outdoors. They also provide a new space for outdoor lessons, gardening and eco clubs.
Summary
The Yorkshire Water schools partnership demonstrates how SuDSPlanters can support storm-overflow reduction while creating meaningful environmental and educational benefits across urban communities.
Yorkshire Water Schools Partnership
Project Details
Sector: Education
Location: Yorkshire
Date: March 2025
Situation
Yorkshire Water provided SuDSPlanter® systems to 15 primary schools and one city farm, in areas where wider flood alleviation measures were underway. Planters were installed in towns and cities across Yorkshire, including Leeds, Rotherham and Doncaster, as part of the utility’s Storm Spill Reduction Programme.
Water companies must reduce storm overflows in the 2025-2030 investment period. Regulatory expectations place strong emphasis on nature-based solutions, as well as community engagement and climate resilience – making schools ideal partners for sustainable drainage projects.
Schools can be particularly prone to flooding, due to their extensive hard-surfaced areas. In 2021, the UK government warned that nearly 15,000 schools would be at significant risk from flooding by 2050.
Task
Primary objectives:
- Implement SuDS to reduce flood risk and manage stormwater effectively at selected sites.
- Reduce risk of surface water flooding on school grounds.
- Enhance on-site biodiversity and create green spaces for environmental education.
- Engage young people in environmental stewardship and water conservation.
Action
Design and Installation:
Supplied 49 SuDSPlanter® units designed to capture and manage rainwater runoff at strategic locations. Designs were tailored for individual sites, based on the square-meterage of each roof and the calculated volumes of rainwater expected to drain into the system. Each system was bespoke in design, comprising between one and five planters. Suitable plants were selected by Sudsplanter landscaping experts, based on location and aspect. Additional creative components such as cloud trays, cascade features and watering cans provided. Installations took between one and two days per site, followed by one day for education engagement and planting.
Educational integration:
Schools received a key stage 1-4 education pack and plant handbook, developed by SuDSPlanter’s environmental specialists. The provision of educational resources supports learning in topics such as the water cycle, water-saving, weather and climate change, gardening, growing and caring for the natural world.
Partnership development:
Built positive partnerships with schools, helping to establish an enduring SuDS culture among students and staff. This collaboration facilitated awareness-raising activities and highlighted the importance of sustainable water management in schools.
Result
Flood reduction:
Fully connected and in operation, the 49 SuDSPlanter® units can capture a total of 18,700 litres of rain – a significant volume kept out of the sewers during storms. This has reduced the risk of localised flooding, pollution and CSO spills. The risk of surface water flooding on school hard surfaces has also decreased.
Increased Biodiversity:
New green spaces and wildlife habitats created in 16 locations, contributing to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) within urban settings.
Educational Opportunities:
The provision of educational resources supports learning in topics such as the water cycle, water-saving, weather and climate change, gardening, growing and caring for the natural world.
Enhanced wellbeing:
New spaces have potential to positively impact the health and wellbeing of users, encourage physical activity and enthusiasm for nature and the outdoors. They also provide a new space for outdoor lessons, gardening and eco clubs.
Summary
The Yorkshire Water schools partnership demonstrates how SuDSPlanters can support storm-overflow reduction while creating meaningful environmental and educational benefits across urban communities.
Recent Educational Case Studies
Yorkshire Water Schools Partnership
New Hinksey CE Primary School
Castle Hills Primary Academy, Doncaster
Project at Merstham Primary School
Southern Water IOW Pathfinder Project
More questions?
Why not drop us an email if you have any further questions or require any more information.
More Questions?
Why not drop us an email if you have any further questions or require any more information.