Making Sense of SuDS

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) have been around for over 25 years, yet questions remain about their long-term performance, maintenance, and effectiveness. Despite their widespread use, we still lack sufficient evidence on their real-world impact and long-term benefits.

This interactive one-day workshop, hosted by the University of Exeter in partnership with SWIG, will bring together experts, practitioners, and policymakers to explore how we can:

✅ Improve our understanding of SuDS performance through better data and evaluation

✅ Share experiences and insights from real-world case studies

✅ Identify opportunities to enhance design, implementation, and long-term maintenance

Join us as we make sense of SuDS, address the gaps in knowledge, and work towards better, more resilient water management solutions.

🎟️ Special Offer for Local Authorities!

The first delegate from each local authority can attend for free using the coupon code "LOCAL AUTH" at checkout.

On site accommodation:

University of Exeter - Holland Hall, Exeter (updated prices 2025), located on Streatham Campus

Agenda:

09:30   Registration and refreshments

Session One: What is reality. How far have we come?

10:00   Niki Roach & Peter Melville-Shreeve, University of Exeter: Welcome, expectations, objectives, who's in the room?

10:30   Peter Melville-Shreeve, University of Exeter: SuDS on Paper

11:00   Networking and refreshments

11:20   SuDS in the Real World

·       Simon De-Ville, University of Liverpool: SuDS at Scale: Monitoring Performance in Mansfield

·       Matt Moore, Anglian Water: Retrofit to Reveal: Uncovering SuDS Value Through Monitoring & Data

·       Chris Sweetapple, University of Exeter: Establishing a Water Living Lab at Exeter University

·       Joe Shuttleworth, Arup: Innovations in SuDS Delivery: Global Lessons

12:00   Ally Potts, Southern Water: Keynote: Why Do SuDS Matter?

12:30   Lunch

Session Two: What is ahead? Where could we aim?

13:30   Workshop 1: Future for New Build SuDS

·       George Warren, Anglian Water: What’s That at the Top of the Drainage Hierarchy?

·       Paul Shaffer, CIWEM: A Place for SuDS – Fitting SuDS in the Regulatory Landscape

13:30   Workshop 2: Future for Retrofit SuDS

·       Anna Hastings, Southern Water: How Local Authorities and Water Companies can Work Together on Retrofit SuDS

14:00   Panel Discussion with Workshop Speakers

14:20   Raconteur session

15:00   Networking and refreshments

15:30   David Butler & Lorna Devenish, University of Exeter: Smarter SuDS network discussion

15:45   Activity: NABC 

16:15   Niki Roach: Closing remarks