Ponding water
In civil engineering, the term ‘ponding’ typically refers to the collection of standing water at the ground surface due to the presence of an impermeable layer within the soil. Ref The HS2 London-West Midlands Environmental Statement, Glossary of terms and list of abbreviations, DETR 2013.
It can also refer to the collection of water on an impermeable surface such as a roof, road or pavement where the fall is insufficient to allow surface water runoff, or where drainage is inadequate.
In extreme cases, ponding can be a sign of developing defect, such as settlement, structural movement or even the development of a sinkhole.
Typically ponding is considered to be an undesirable or unintended accumulation of water, unlike a water feature such as a pond, which is intentional. Ponding can cause damage, such as water penetration into buildings, defects on flat roofs and so on. However, it is typically less damaging that floods, which are generally larger in scale than ponding, which tends to be more shallow and localised.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Sir John Betjeman’s love of Victorian church architecture.
Exchange for Change for UK deposit return scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation established to deliver Deposit Return Scheme unveils trading name.
A guide to integrating heat pumps
As the Future Homes Standard approaches Future Homes Hub publishes hints and tips for Architects and Architectural Technologists.
BSR as a standalone body; statements, key roles, context
Statements from key figures in key and changing roles.
ECA launches Welsh Election Manifesto
ECA calls on political parties at 100 day milestone to the Senedd elections.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.