Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Sediment Traps and Bunds

This is an old version of the page

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 5 January, 2016

Date superseded: 11 March, 2016

To see recent changes to this guidance, check the bottom of this page.

The aim of this item is to improve water quality by creating a strategically placed sediment trap and / or bund to intercept run-off that currently discharges direct to a watercourse or freshwater drain.

Any land is eligible, provided that it meets all of the requirements set out below.

You must combine this item with:

Where a sediment trap is to be created to accept run-off from a steading, you must combine this item with:

You can check if this item is available on your holding here.

You must prepare a plan which must include a map of the relevant fields / steading identifying the location of the rural sustainable drainage system feature.

  • bund height must be less than 1.3 metres, unless designed by a qualified engineer
  • fencing must be provided to protect people and livestock.
  • only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry may be conveyed to a sediment trap / bund *
  • run-off from pesticide handling or washdown areas must not be conveyed to a sediment trap / bund

* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.

You can claim:

  • excavate and form sediment trap – £10.50 per square metre
  • create bund – £7.20 per linear metre

The inspectors will check:

  • the location and extent of the sediment trap
  • the length of the newly created bund
  • bund height is less than 1.3 metres, unless designed by a qualified engineer
  • fencing is provided to protect people and livestock
  • only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry is conveyed to a sediment trap / bund *
  • run-off from pesticide handling or wash-down areas is not conveyed to a sediment trap / bund

* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.

Section Change Previous text New text
EligibilityAmendment to eligibility requirements.The land must be within a diffuse pollution priority catchment or focus area (unless an endorsement has been obtained from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) or a flooding target area.Any land is eligible, provided that it meets all of the requirements set out below.
 Additional criteria if the run-off is coming from a steading.-Where a sediment trap is to be created to accept run-off from a steading, you must combine this item with:
• Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Swales or
• Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Retention Pond or
• Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Wetland
Spatial targetingUpdated target area map.--
 Sentence removed from the caption below the PDF.It may be possible to apply for this option outside this area where there is strong justification as endorsed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.-
RequirementsClarification on run-off that isn't defined as slurry.-* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.
InspectionsClarification on run-off that isn't defined as slurry.-* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.

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