Briefing: How long-term monitoring of SuDS will inform next-generation guidance and modelling tools

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are becoming more commonplace in urban environments due to the additional benefits they can provide alongside their core stormwater management function. In Mansfield, UK, Severn Trent Water is investing £76 million in retrofitting hundreds of SuDS to provide flood risk reduction to 90 000 people while simultaneously creating 5 ha of biodiversity-rich habitat. However, there is continued uncertainty about the long-term performance of these nature-based assets in comparison to traditional grey infrastructure. Through a new industrial–academic partnership, a long-term evaluation of SuDS performance across Mansfield will be used to inform the next generation of design guidance and modelling tools.