Drumglass Park - Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS)

We’re working in partnership with NI Water and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on proposals to introduce a new Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) in Drumglass Park.

The project involves the creation of a new pond with a permanent body of water, plus a landscaped area around the pond which will fill with rainwater occasionally during heavy rainfall for short periods of time. The water is then released slowly at a safe, controlled rate into the existing drainage system, to help prevent local sewers becoming overwhelmed.

The pond will be constructed by NI Water and funded through DfI from the Northern Ireland Executive’s Public Sector Transformation Fund.

Project proposals and design

This pond will have a permanent body of water which will rise during periods of heavy rain. It will be located within the grassed area at the park’s natural low point.

The pond will be fed by the creation of a new swale (small stream) which will take water from an existing surface water pipeline to the pond (see project background below). It will also be equipped with an overflow system to manage water levels and safeguard against any flooding within the park grounds.

The pond and storage basin will have gently sloping sides with planting around the edge to provide natural habitat. This will benefit wetland wildlife and enhance the park’s biodiversity.

A strong focus of the project will be on providing opportunities to educate people by raising awareness of environmental, drainage and wastewater issues faced by today’s society, and how SuDS can help address these challenges.

Artist's impression of new pond in Drumglass Park

Artist's impression of inlet to pond

Artist's impression of viewing platform beside the pond

Key aims of the project

• To reduce the amount of surface water entering NI Water’s sewers. This will help support economic growth and housing development and help reduce the risk of flooding and pollution.
• To align with and support the aims of existing public sector strategies and plans, including:
  • The council’s Green and Blue Infrastructure Plan, Belfast Open Spaces Strategy and Resilience Strategy.
  • The Department for Infrastructure’s Living With Water Programme.
• To enhance wildlife habitat and biodiversity in the park.
• To enhance the experience of nature for park visitors.
• To provide opportunities for education.
• To learn from the project generally, to help pave the way for future nature-based drainage projects throughout Belfast and Northern Ireland, through initiatives such as the Public Sector Transformation Fund and other future public and private investment.

Project background

In 2024, the NI Executive committed £235m over a five-year period to support public sector transformation. In 2025, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) secured £15m from this Public Sector Transformation Fund to develop and deliver an innovative four-year pilot project aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of nature-based Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and natural flood management interventions in managing the flow of water through our urban areas.

Nature-based sustainable drainage can help address drainage and wastewater issues and improve resilience to climate change. SuDS mimic natural drainage processes by slowing, storing, and treating rainwater (or surface water) close to where it falls. When compared to traditional drainage systems, such as underground pipes and storage tanks, SuDS can provide amenity benefits, create wildlife habitat, improve biodiversity, and create opportunities for educating people about the environment and sustainability.

As part of this Transformation Pilot project, DfI, along with NI Water and the council, are seeking your views on the creation of a SuDS pond in Drumglass Park.

The water in the pond will come from an existing surface water pipeline that runs through Drumglass Park. This pipeline is connected to one of NI Water’s combined sewers on the Lisburn Road. During times of heavy and prolonged rainfall, the water in this pipeline increases the pressure on NI Water’s existing sewerage network, increasing risks of out-of-sewer flooding in the Lisburn Road area and pollution of the Blackstaff River from nearby sewer overflows.