Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
REFEA supports the design and delivery of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) that manage surface water naturally, reduce flood risk, and improve site sustainability across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.
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REFEA is a joint initiative by JMS Engineers and GC Robertson, promoting sustainability through smarter reuse and practical design in structural and civil engineering across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and the wider East Anglia region.
Civil engineering-led water management for resilient sites across East Anglia
REFEA designs and delivers Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) that manage surface water naturally, reduce flood risk, and improve site sustainability across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.
We work closely with developers, architects, and contractors to create adoptable and maintainable SuDS strategies that meet local authority and Anglian Water requirements - while adding long-term environmental value to each site.
What Are SuDS?
SuDS mimic natural drainage processes to manage rainwater where it falls. Instead of simply diverting water into sewers, our designs slow, store, filter, and reuse water - reducing runoff and helping create greener, more resilient developments.
Our SuDS designs help you:
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Reduce long-term flood risk
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Improve biodiversity and habitat creation
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Comply with planning and water authority requirements
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Enhance site amenity and environmental quality
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Support net-zero development goals
Our Civil Engineering SuDS Services Include:
Feasibility studies and drainage strategies for planning applications
Detailed SuDS design (rain gardens, swales, ponds, green roofs, permeable paving)
Drainage calculations, flow control design, and infiltration testing
Section 104, 106 and 38 submission support for adoptable systems
SuDS design for retrofit, infill plots and constrained urban sites
Design for biodiversity and amenity in line with local planning policy
Why Choose REFEA approved engineers for SuDS Design?
REFEA approved civil engineers focus on integrating water management with structural and landscape needs - ensuring systems are technically deliverable, cost-effective, and aligned with long-term maintenance realities.
We don’t treat SuDS as a planning checkbox. We treat it as infrastructure.
We assess the viability of retaining or repurposing existing structural elements, helping reduce demolition waste and embodied carbon.
We design integrated SuDS strategies that manage surface water naturally, reduce flood risk, and support biodiversity.
Our engineers design structures using low-carbon materials, optimised steel/concrete usage, and efficient detailing to minimise environmental impact.
We provide structural and civil input into retrofit schemes - ensuring existing assets can be adapted and extended rather than replaced.
We work alongside design teams to evaluate carbon impacts across the project lifecycle and propose meaningful reductions at the design stage.
Sustainable Design Services
Our civil and structural engineering services support low-carbon construction, resource efficiency, and long-term resilience.
Focus Areas
REFEA’s work is guided by six core principles that drive sustainable structural and civil engineering - turning practical design decisions into low-carbon outcomes across East Anglia.
Reuse First
Prioritising existing structures and materials to reduce waste and embodied carbon.
Early Design Collaboration
Involving engineers early to embed sustainability from concept to construction.
Low-Carbon Materials
Specifying materials with lower embodied carbon and designing for material efficiency.
Circular Design Thinking
Designing for adaptability, longevity, and future reuse from the outset.
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Integrated Drainage Solutions
Embedding SuDS into civil engineering for sustainable, climate-resilient developments.
Practical Sustainability
Delivering buildable, cost-conscious solutions that meet real environmental targets.
Sustainable
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As structural engineers, we have a unique opportunity to influence how the built environment responds to the climate crisis. Reuse isn't just about saving materials - it's about rethinking value, preserving what works, and designing with long-term resilience in mind. Through REFEA, we hope to make reuse a more practical and achievable option on projects across East Anglia by sharing knowledge, highlighting viable approaches, and supporting early-stage design decisions.
Mark Weston
Structural Engineer, JMS Engineers
Knowledge is key to sustainable change. Explore our latest insights and technical resources:
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Path to a Low-Carbon Built Environment
The built environment contributes nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, much of it through construction and materials. In East Anglia, reducing embodied carbon is critical to meeting sustainability goals. By reusing structures, designing efficiently, and integrating low-impact civil solutions, we can reshape how the region builds - and lead the way towards a net zero future.