Supporting SuDS Validation in Mansfield The Mansfield Sustainable Flood Resilience programme is the UK’s largest town-wide retrofit of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Led by Severn Trent Water, in partnership with Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, the scheme aims to reduce surface water flooding and improve climate resilience for over 90,000 residents. It includes hundreds of nature-based interventions such as rain gardens, permeable paving, and detention basins. Academic Evaluation To assess how these systems perform in real-world conditions, the University of Liverpool and University of Sheffield are leading a hydraulic monitoring programme. Their research focuses on comparing sensor technologies, building accurate hydraulic models, and capturing seasonal variations in stormwater behaviour. The findings will help shape future SuDS design standards and planning guidance. Detectronic’s Role Detectronic was commissioned to supply and support monitoring equipment across key SuDS features. MSFM flow monitors were installed in all detention basins—accounting for nearly two-thirds of the scheme’s design capacity—and at strategic points in Severn Trent’s sewer network to assess sub-catchment impacts. LIDoTT® Smart Sensors were deployed in permeable pavements and rain gardens to measure water levels and flow dynamics. Real-World Performance During a 62-hour, 79mm rainfall event, MSFM sensors recorded 256m³ of stormwater diverted into the Racecourse detention basin, helping prevent downstream flooding and reduce CSO activations. In a separate 30-hour, 29mm event, LIDoTT® sensors tracked the controlled release of stormwater from the Mansfield Courthouse rain garden, demonstrating effective storage and flow regulation. Technology Insights The project has highlighted the advantages of Detectronic’s dual-sensor approach. LIDoTT® units combine ultrasonic and pressure measurements, ensuring reliable data even when submerged—critical for rain gardens and bioswales. Ultrasonic sensors also outperform radar in shallow chambers, offering a compact installation footprint ideal for constrained spaces. During a network outage, Detectronic’s sensors provided direct on-site data access, maintaining continuity in monitoring while other systems remained offline. Looking Ahead Monitoring will continue through 2027, capturing a wide range of storm events across seasons. This long-term dataset will improve confidence in SuDS performance, support more accurate modelling, and inform future flood resilience strategies across the UK.
