Traditional drainage systems struggle with modern rainfall patterns. Storms are more frequent and intense, yet much UK drainage was built for an earlier era. This mismatch creates surface water flooding risks that reactive maintenance alone cannot resolve.
Local authorities face increasing pressure to manage drainage, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), flood risk and highways assets spread across multiple teams and databases. Data such as Section 19 investigations and flood records often remain isolated. This fragmentation makes it hard to understand causes, plan investment or improve long-term resilience.
One connected system for drainage and flood understanding
KaarbonTech expanded its SMART platform to bring all these elements together. Drainage assets, SuDS mapped as spatial features, flood event mapping and Section 19 investigations are now in one environment. This integrates asset condition and work history with rainfall data, network details, known flood risk zones and live weather information.
How it works
Authorities can map SuDS as physical features, check them against design standards and include them in inspection schedules alongside traditional drainage assets. Flood events reported by the public are captured spatially, showing flood extents in real time. Officers see which assets are affected and where communities experience impact.
Section 19 investigations are digitally managed within the platform. Flood data, evidence and reports remain linked, creating a living record that supports planning, funding bids and scrutiny over time.
Live Environment Agency flood warnings combine with historic and forecast rainfall on operational maps. This lets officers track how past weather affected the network, monitor developing conditions, and anticipate pressure points in near real time.
Where it fits in UK environments
The system supports UK councils managing drainage under the Traffic Management Act, CDM regulations and Sector Schemes. It complements highway inspection and maintenance regimes across carriageways, verges and surrounding SuDS. It also aligns with the increased focus on surface water flooding risk on A-roads, motorways and local networks, especially in areas prone to frost damage and surface water accumulation.
What it changes for authorities and communities
This joined-up data approach shows exactly how water moves across networks and where risk builds. It makes it easier to prioritise maintenance and investment, plan for future climate impacts and provide clearer evidence to stakeholders.
KaarbonTech acts as a Resilience Partner, helping local authorities move from fragmented records to integrated operational insight. This supports more effective use of resources and stronger community protection from surface water flooding.
As climate pressures continue to intensify, managing drainage, SuDS and flood risk separately is insufficient. A connected, evidence-based system is essential to strengthen resilience and support sustainable infrastructure planning.
Full details: https://kaarbontech.co.uk/articles/connected-drainage-feature
Explore more: Visit our Drainage section for updates on surface water management, SuDS, gully maintenance and highway drainage systems in the UK.
