Which type of drainage system is designed to divert surface water?

Surface drainage systems are specifically designed to manage and divert excess surface water away from areas where it could cause problems, such as flooded land, erosion, or water pooling. These systems typically include features like swales, ditches, and open channels that facilitate the flow of water away from populated areas or agricultural fields.

The emphasis of surface drainage is on handling water that collects on the surface, as opposed to dealing with groundwater or water beneath the surface, which is the focus of subsurface drainage systems. Interceptor drainage systems, while also aimed at managing water, often target groundwater issues rather than surface runoff. Rainwater harvesting, in contrast, aims to collect and store rainwater for future use rather than diverting it away. Thus, surface drainage is the most appropriate choice for the question, as it directly addresses the need to direct surface water away from specific areas.