World Water Day Landscape Architecture SuDS Groundwork

Castle Newnham School with flooding in the playground

Castle Newnham School flooding, Image credit BBC

By Catherine Browne, Landscape Architect, Groundwork East

World Water Day (22 March 2026) reminds us that water is one of our most precious resources, yet many parts of the UK are now classified as water stressed. In some areas, more water is being extracted from underground aquifers than is being naturally replenished. At the same time, our towns and school grounds are increasingly covered with hard surfaces, meaning rainwater runs straight into drains rather than soaking into the soil. This contributes to flooding, sewer pressure and pollution entering our rivers and seas.

Rain gardens offer a simple, nature-based solution and schools are a powerful place to demonstrate their value.

Infogram of how rainwater gardens work — *Hilltop Primary School rain garden. Information at the school will show students how rain gardens work*

Infograph of how a marble run works — *Hilltop Primary School ‘Marble Run’* design

Groundwork East’s landscape architecture team has been working with drainage engineers EPG, on behalf of Essex County Council, to create rain gardens in six schools across Essex. These gardens are designed to reduce water inundation at the schools, intercept rainwater from roofs and playgrounds, holding it temporarily and allowing it to soak slowly back into the ground. This helps replenish aquifers, reduce runoff and ease pressure on drainage systems during heavy rainfall.

Our team has developed planting schemes, layouts and signage to help pupils understand how water moves through the landscape.

Collaborating with engineered drainage works delivered by EPG, we’ve introduced playful features including willow arbours, water ‘marble runs’ and gravel runs that channel rainwater into gardens, and water-reactive stencils that reveal woodland footprints when it rains.

As these rain gardens are installed, they are transforming school grounds, increasing biodiversity, managing water more sustainably and helping the school communities connect with water resilience in a practical, hands-on way.

marble run rain garden in a school — *Gravel channel before planting.* *Image credit George Grant*

Project sponsored by Essex County Council

Constructed by Carrick Construction

Find out more about Groundwork East’s Landscape Architect Services