Impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly manifest with wetter winters and, frequent and intense rainfall leading to rises in flooding; while at the other end of the scale, drier, hotter summers are causing rises in water scarcity.

Innovators in technology and digital solutions are creating a range of solutions to mitigate water scarcity and drought, whilst also protecting the drainage network from being overwhelmed by heavy rainfall.

One such project featuring smart dual-purpose rainwater recycling and attenuation systems is the South Sebastopol residential development in Wales by SDS Water Infrastructure Systems. With a brief to prevent surface water flooding and protect water courses from pollution, the project delivered a drainage system that ensures the site remains flood-risk free while creating new habitats for nature conservation and retaining existing streams and canal traversing the site.