GreenBlue Urban partnered with United Utilities to implement an innovative educational infrastructure project at Staveley CE Primary School, combining sustainable drainage technology with community education.
This initiative installed nine SuDSPods at the school and introduced an educational program that involved students, teachers, and the wider community in learning about sustainable water management. The project highlighted how green infrastructure can support environmental education, offering ongoing learning opportunities in addition to improving drainage.
Project Background
The village of Staveley in Cumbria faces significant stormwater management challenges, with recurring overflow issues affecting the River Kent due to a number of factors, including an aging sewer network, increased development, and the village’s location in a mountainous area with steep hillsides.
United Utilities aimed to implement a solution that would not only address drainage needs but also deliver long-term educational value, with the school initiative playing a key role in the company’s broader ‘Action for Staveley‘ plan. SuDSPods were selected for this project because they provide effective surface water management by temporarily storing rainwater and gradually releasing it into the sewer network. Their visible, adaptable design also makes them well-suited for use in educational settings, supporting both functional and learning objectives.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
GreenBlue Urban partnered with United Utilities to implement an innovative educational infrastructure project at Staveley CE Primary School, combining sustainable drainage technology with community education.
This initiative installed nine SuDSPods at the school and introduced an educational program that involved students, teachers, and the wider community in learning about sustainable water management. The project highlighted how green infrastructure can support environmental education, offering ongoing learning opportunities in addition to improving drainage.
Project Background
The village of Staveley in Cumbria faces significant stormwater management challenges, with recurring overflow issues affecting the River Kent due to a number of factors, including an aging sewer network, increased development, and the village’s location in a mountainous area with steep hillsides.
United Utilities aimed to implement a solution that would not only address drainage needs but also deliver long-term educational value, with the school initiative playing a key role in the company’s broader ‘Action for Staveley‘ plan. SuDSPods were selected for this project because they provide effective surface water management by temporarily storing rainwater and gradually releasing it into the sewer network. Their visible, adaptable design also makes them well-suited for use in educational settings, supporting both functional and learning objectives.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Educational Philosophy and Approach
The project takes a well-rounded approach to green infrastructure by treating education as a key part of long-term sustainability. Instead of just installing drainage equipment, United Utilities made sure the site could also be used as a hands-on learning space for environmental education, offering benefits now and into the future. By involving primary school students in the design and creative aspects of signage for the SuDSPods, the project has helped build awareness and interest in sustainable water management among young people.
The educational approach emphasised the concept of ‘slowing the flow’ of rainwater into the village’s sewer network, providing students with a simple, memorable way to understand the fundamental principle underlying SuDSPods technology. This concept proved particularly effective because it connected to broader environmental education themes about working harmoniously with natural processes rather than against them.
To further engage students and create lasting connections between educational content and their daily environment, United Utilities organised an innovative drawing competition – with templates provided by GreenBlue Urban – inviting students to illustrate their creative ideas about rainwater management. This initiative proved successful, generating enthusiasm throughout the school community and producing artwork that demonstrated both understanding of technical concepts and imaginative approaches to problem-solving. Competition winners received book vouchers as recognition for their contributions.
Educational Philosophy and Approach
The project takes a well-rounded approach to green infrastructure by treating education as a key part of long-term sustainability. Instead of just installing drainage equipment, United Utilities made sure the site could also be used as a hands-on learning space for environmental education, offering benefits now and into the future. By involving primary school students in the design and creative aspects of signage for the SuDSPods, the project has helped build awareness and interest in sustainable water management among young people.
The educational approach emphasised the concept of ‘slowing the flow’ of rainwater into the village’s sewer network, providing students with a simple, memorable way to understand the fundamental principle underlying SuDSPods technology. This concept proved particularly effective because it connected to broader environmental education themes about working harmoniously with natural processes rather than against them.
To further engage students and create lasting connections between educational content and their daily environment, United Utilities organised an innovative drawing competition – with templates provided by GreenBlue Urban – inviting students to illustrate their creative ideas about rainwater management. This initiative proved successful, generating enthusiasm throughout the school community and producing artwork that demonstrated both understanding of technical concepts and imaginative approaches to problem-solving. Competition winners received book vouchers as recognition for their contributions.
Technical Implementation
The nine SuDSPods were strategically positioned to mitigate rainwater runoff from the school’s roof system, with installation locations carefully selected to maximise both functional effectiveness and educational visibility. Students can observe the systems in operation while the installation provides optimal performance for managing stormwater runoff. The installations utilise the same patented three-chamber internal flow control system proven effective in several other GreenBlue Urban projects, achieving significant peak flow reductions during storm events while providing reliable, long-term performance with minimal maintenance requirements.
The technical performance of the school’s SuDSPods contributes meaningfully to Staveley’s integrated water management approach. By capturing and controlling rainwater release from the school’s roof surfaces, these systems reduce burden on the local sewer network during intense rainfall events.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
The project’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of bringing together diverse expertise and resources. United Utilities provided strategic vision, funding, and technical expertise. GreenBlue Urban contributed specialised SuDSPods knowledge, educational support, and technical consultation. Our experience in integrating green infrastructure with urban environments helped ensure that the SuDSPods were not only functional but also well-suited to an educational setting, enhancing both environmental and learning outcomes.
The project’s approach of combining practical infrastructure improvements with education has proven effective and could be adapted for use in other communities and with other types of environmental infrastructure. This could provide a template for utility companies and organisations seeking to maximise educational and community engagement benefits of infrastructure investments.
Technical Implementation
The nine SuDSPods were strategically positioned to mitigate rainwater runoff from the school’s roof system, with installation locations carefully selected to maximise both functional effectiveness and educational visibility. Students can observe the systems in operation while the installation provides optimal performance for managing stormwater runoff. The installations utilise the same patented three-chamber internal flow control system proven effective in several other GreenBlue Urban projects, achieving significant peak flow reductions during storm events while providing reliable, long-term performance with minimal maintenance requirements.
The technical performance of the school’s SuDSPods contributes meaningfully to Staveley’s integrated water management approach. By capturing and controlling rainwater release from the school’s roof surfaces, these systems reduce burden on the local sewer network during intense rainfall events.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
The project’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of bringing together diverse expertise and resources. United Utilities provided strategic vision, funding, and technical expertise. GreenBlue Urban contributed specialised SuDSPods knowledge, educational support, and technical consultation. Our experience in integrating green infrastructure with urban environments helped ensure that the SuDSPods were not only functional but also well-suited to an educational setting, enhancing both environmental and learning outcomes.
The project’s approach of combining practical infrastructure improvements with education has proven effective and could be adapted for use in other communities and with other types of environmental infrastructure. This could provide a template for utility companies and organisations seeking to maximise educational and community engagement benefits of infrastructure investments.
