Surface Banding

Narrow slits of sand, or sand over gravel, which have either been injected or material excavated and filled. They are typically 20mm to 35mm in width and up to 300mm in depth. They will typically be spaced at up to 1-metre centres.

  Surface Ponding

Water present on the surface. This might be in small localised areas, especially in small depressions within a surface forming what looks like a small version of a pond, or larger slightly uneven areas where drainage is poor, and water cannot readily be moved from the surface. Surface ponding is a hazard to players on winter sports pitches (football and rugby) and this would contribute to a game being cancelled or postponed.

  Surface Runoff

Water which is not able to infiltrate into the ground and subsequently moves towards lower points on land, or is retained within hollows or low spots. This is defined in the Flood and Water Management Act as “rainwater (including snow and other precipitation) which— (a) is on the surface of the ground (whether or not it is moving), and (b) has not entered a watercourse, drainage system or public sewer.”

  Sustainable Drainage Systems

Drainage system that reduces surface water runoff, reduces drainage rates to watercourses and act as a buffer to retain water and decrease flow rates in extreme weather conditions. The aim is to allow water to gradually drain and soakaway event at a steady and more controlled way than if water was shed directly from the surface or straight through drainage pipes to outfalls and watercourses, which would otherwise result in short-term overload of the system and subsequent flooding to businesses and households. A range of features can be used as SuDS, including ponds, soakaways, infiltratio

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  Sweet Soil

An agricultural term, often used in turf culture prior to the mid-20th Century and still sometimes in gardening, meaning an alkaline or neutral soil, pH 7.0 or above.

  Tennis Loam

A soil which is suitable for use on tennis courts and which will have a slightly lower clay content than that required for cricket surfaces. The strength of a tennis soil should be a minimum of 35kg using the ASSB test, otherwise more rapid deterioration of the soil profile can occur during play.

  Tile Drain

A clay pipe, laid by hand, previously used in draining fields and sports pitches. They went out of use in the 1960s and 70s following the introduction of plastic drainage pipes which came in long coiled lengths and could also be installed quite readily by machinery.

  Tilth

The physical condition of a soil. A good tilth will have a good soil structure, be free draining, suitable water retention, well supplied with nutrients and well aerated for good root growth.

  Topsoil

The uppermost layer of soil which is the main growing medium for grass roots. A topsoil (often referred to as the 'A' soil horizon) is usually darker in colour than a subsoil (often referred to as the 'B' soil horizon) due to increased biological activity, having a higher nutrient content, and also usually better soil aeration and better drainage capability. On specially constructed turf surfaces, such as a sports pitch, the imported topsoil material is normally referred to as a rootzone. This is because it will have been specified in detail and will be different from a natural topsoil.

  Trench Line

The position of a drainage trench either before or after installation.