ACO launches first comprehensive online surface water management resource. ACO has developed a new online destination for anyone looking for information on surface water management. Covering every aspect of the subject and its application across both external and internal built environments, www.aco.co.uk has been designed for use by specialists and non-specialists alike, facilitating quick access to current and comprehensive news, product information, design support, technical downloads, legislative updates and much more.

Self-contained and easy to install, the new ACO SoakAway™ range offers the first complete, sustainable solution for managing surface water run-off from residential roofs, driveways or any domestic hard landscaped area. With Building Regulations set to become more restrictive regarding the use of sewers to remove run-off, the kits are the ideal way to avoid the cost and delay of having to apply for planning permission. There are three kits in the ACO SoakAway range: the ACO SoakAway Channel Kit, the ACO SoakAway and the ACO Soakaway Extension.

To preserve the natural appearance of its course, Faversham Golf Club in Kent has turned to ACO GroundGuard to repair key areas of its grassed playing surface that had been subjected to extreme wear – a common problem for many courses. The award winning modular grid system has been used to promote natural grass growth, stabilise the soil condition and improve surface water drainage in locations where standing water combined with high levels of foot and trolley traffic had badly damaged the existing surface.

Designers of a new extension to Banbury School in Oxfordshire have used two monocast drainage systems from water management specialist, ACO Technologies, to create an external environment that is in harmony with the building’s ecological ambitions. The systems, ACO KerbDrain and ACO ParkDrain, which are both manufactured from Vienite™ - a breakthrough recycled material, form a drainage network that quickly removes surface water from new areas of hardstanding to a series of soakaways that recharge local groundwater and reduce flood risk by ensuring there is no additional load on the existing main sewers.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has recognised the manufacturing advances, unique properties and environmental benefits of ACO Technologies’ breakthrough recycled and recyclable material Vienite® in the 2009 edition its Construction Products Innovation and Achievement (CPIA). The publication showcases the most innovative products and processes created by the construction products industry over the last twelve months.

An easy to follow guide that explains the planning law changes for new and refurbished driveways is now available from water management specialist, ACO Technologies. Clearly setting out the design options for the sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) that are now be required, the guide also highlights the key benefits of a new range of SUDS systems that ACO has developed for driveway applications – systems that avoid the expense and time delays of having to apply for full planning permission.

A beautifully landscaped area of grass is usually off-limits to pedestrians and is certainly no place for cars and caravans, but now using the ACO GroundGuard® ground reinforcement and stabilisation system, attractive and versatile grassed areas can easy be created that can withstand extreme loads and high, repeated use. Developed by drainage and landscaping specialist ACO Technologies, this award-winning system is ideal for garden centres, golf clubs, caravan parks – any location where the introduction of hard landscaping would detract from its visual appeal and natural setting.

Water management and drainage specialist, ACO Technologies, has strengthened its specification support team in Scotland with the appointment of Adam McKinnon. In a key role, Adam will work closely with contractors and specifiers across the region, explaining how the benefits of ACO’s new, expanded range of specialised surface water management systems can be exploited to meet the rigorous performance and sustainability requirements of forthcoming major national and European water legislation.

Drainage and water management is one area of the construction industry that is undergoing significant change with new legislation and product technologies signalling a significant shift in the way surface water is regulated, considered and controlled. To help contractors, engineers and designers keep up to date with all the latest developments, ACO Technologies has published Civils_Link - a new magazine dedicated to all aspects of surface water management.

The first large-scale installation of the new ACO StormTank modular surface water attenuation and infiltration system has been completed at Perkins Engines’ manufacturing facility in Stafford. A key part of a sustainable drainage system (SUDS) designed by ACO Technologies, the 65m3 modular tank system attenuates and controls the discharge of surface water run-off from a new lorry park that has been created to ease vehicle movements across the site.

In a special presentation ceremony at Ecobuild 2009, Richard Hill, Managing Director of drainage and water management specialist, ACO Technologies, received the company’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems accreditation certificate from the Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP, Deputy Chairman of the Construction Industry Council and Vice President of the Town and County Planning Association. Also attending the event on ACO’s stand were Michael Ankers, Chairman of the Construction Products Association, and Gary Fenton, Operations Director of the British Standards Institution.

Launched this month, the updated version of the Part M compliant level threshold drainage system, ACO DoorWay Drain, has a new lightweight channel body that is more robust, easier to handle and faster to install than its predecessor. Manufactured using ACO’s patented HexTechnology moulding technique and 100% recycled material, the new plastic channel - together with its unique two-part stainless steel Heelguard™ grating - is designed to sit flush against the entrance brickwork, providing complete threshold protection without the need to cut or alter the doorframe.

The innovative design of ACO’s new MultiDrain™ MD channel gives it the highest strength to weight ratio of any drain in its class. Capable of withstanding loads from Class A through to Load Class D, the lightweight MultiDrain MD not only increases the number of applications that can be covered by a single system it also includes a range of new features that improve on site handling, finish quality and installed performance – it is the first drain in this category to be available with a sloping invert.

ACO StormTank provides long-term storm water management. ACO StormTank is the first modular storm water infiltration and attenuation system to fully overcome the problems created by silt build up and the provision of tank access for inspection and maintenance. Developed by drainage and water management specialist ACO Technologies, ACO StormTank’s unique ‘open-sided’ cell structure allows access to every part of the installed tank and, in combination with special geotextiles, can be configured to remove the risk of silt build up and blockage, ensuring the long-term, effective performance of the installed system – a major issue in securing site development approval.

The channel drainage system installed at Burdens’ new depot on the outskirts of Cambridge ensures that the yard’s 10,000m2 of hardstanding is effectively drained even though the site has virtually no fall and the water table lies just below the surface. Designed by the team at ACO Technologies, the system uses a series of high capacity ACO S Range heavy duty channel runs to provide the required hydraulic capacity and to create sufficient internal head to discharge surface water runoff from the site at the rate specified by the Environment Agency.

All four sizes of ACO Technologies’ award winning, high capacity slot drainage system, ACO Qmax®, have been used to created a totally integrated drainage network on the third stage of Prologis’ North Kettering Business Park development close to the A14 in Northamptonshire.

A number of high performance external drainage systems from ACO Technologies have been installed at the new international station at Ebbsfleet for High Speed 1. Beginning passenger services to mainland Europe when the line opens in November this year, the extensive network of kerb and channel drains at the station combine to effectively remove all standing water from the rail platforms, the passenger car parks and around the main terminal building.