Briefing: The rain to drain approach of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) design and monitoring

The ‘rain to drain’ experimental approach is part of the Doncaster, Immingham and Grimsby (DIG) Surface Water Resilience Project. The DIG project is examining the effectiveness of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) through comprehensive monitoring of the entire urban water cycle, from rainfall to drainage within the respective geographical areas. It is funded by Defra’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme and uses real-time monitoring through weather stations, soil moisture sensors and flow meters to gather data on the performance of SuDS in the urban environment. The project is evaluating various SuDS installations, including rain gardens, detention ponds and downpipe interventions, assessing their ability to reduce flood risks, improve water quality and enhance urban biodiversity. By using a ‘living lab’ experimental design, the project is trialling different SuDS configurations to optimise cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. Preliminary results show significant improvements in water retention (the holding of water) and attenuation (flow reduction of water), with further data helping refine SuDS designs for future urban planning. The project emphasises collaboration across local authorities, water companies and academia, using data-driven insights to develop more resilient and sustainable drainage solutions.