Keeping water where it counts – new thinking in drainage design

3 May 2023

Keeping water where it counts – new thinking in drainage design

Amid fears of fresh drought this summer, the need to reform approaches to drainage design in the water sector is sharply defined. This Utility Week report shares the views of a recent industry focus group on the drivers and barriers for change and priority actions which can be taken without delay.

Conventional approaches to water drainage in the UK are not fit for the future. That much has been made clear over the past year, which has seen a public outcry over sewer spills and extreme weather events – including severe cold and heat, flooding and drought – straining water infrastructure to breaking point.

To discuss these challenges and the ways in which drainage design might adapt, Utility Week in association with Innovyze, hosted an industry focus group including representation from water companies and environmental groups.

This report captures their reflection on:

  • The drivers for transformation in drainage design
  • The barriers to change – including cultural, technical and regulatory hurdles
  • The priority actions needed to achieve change – especially those which lie within the control of water companies to take without delay

Download the report now to find out more.