Science and Data

Further information

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

  • susdrain – The community for sustainable drainage (CIRIA) – The UK’s leading independent SuDS information hub. Provides up-to-date guidance, case studies and support tools for delivering high-quality sustainable drainage systems.

  • The SuDS Manual (CIRIA C753) (CIRIA) – Definitive best-practice guidance on planning, designing, constructing and maintaining SuDS. This comprehensive manual covers all aspects of SuDS implementation for effective surface water management.

  • National Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) (DEFRA) – Official non-statutory technical standards for the design, maintenance and operation of SuDS in England. These standards promote consistency in new developments and help ensure long-term performance and resilience of surface water drainage systems.

  • Rain Gardens – RHS Guidance (Royal Horticultural Society) – How-to guide on creating a rain garden to manage runoff from roofs and hard surfaces. Explains how a shallow, planted depression can slow and filter stormwater while providing a low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly garden space.

Natural Flood Management (NFM)

  • Natural Flood Management Manual (Environment Agency & CIRIA) – A practitioner manual (2022) consolidating evidence and case studies on working with natural processes to reduce flood risk. It provides a step-by-step guide to selecting and implementing NFM measures – from identifying opportunities through to delivery – to help local projects slow runoff and store water naturally.

  • Natural Flood Management – The Wildlife Trusts (The Wildlife Trusts) – Explains how restoring natural processes in rivers and catchments can protect communities. Highlights NFM solutions like wetland restoration, re-meandering rivers, tree planting, and adding features (hedges, ponds, leaky dams) that “slow the flow” and lower downstream flood peaks. Includes examples of Wildlife Trusts projects and the multiple benefits for wildlife and people.

  • Natural Flood Management Guidance (WWT – Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) – Outlines how wetlands and other nature-based solutions can be used to reduce flood risk. Describes NFM techniques (using ponds, floodplains, wet woodlands, etc.) that slow and store water in the landscape. Also offers an NFM toolkit with practical guidance on different measures, funding sources and advice for implementing natural flood management.

  • Natural Flood Management for Landowners (FWAG) – Advisory service by the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (South West) offering guidance to farmers and land managers on adopting NFM techniques. FWAG advisers can suggest the most suitable natural flood management methods for your land and farming system, and help access grants to implement them.

Property-Level Flood Resilience (PFR)

  • Protecting Your Property (National Flood Forum) – An introduction to Property Flood Resilience (also known as Property Level Resilience/Protection). Explains steps to reduce the risk of floodwater entering your home or business and minimize the impact if it does get in. Covers both resistance measures (keeping water out) and resilience measures (reducing damage when water enters), with practical tips on tailoring solutions to your property.

  • Code of Practice for Property Flood Resilience (CIRIA C790) (CIRIA) – Official code and guidance setting the benchmark for installing PFR measures. Defines six standards for delivering effective property flood resilience and a aligned six-step process for survey, design, installation and maintenance of PFR solutions. Developed collaboratively with government and industry, this code of practice drives good practice in making buildings more flood resilient.

  • Be Flood Smart – Property Flood Resilience Campaign (Flood Re & Environment Agency) – Public-facing guidance on practical PFR measures to protect homes. Outlines how PFR works alongside traditional defences and NFM, and includes measures to keep floodwater out (e.g. flood doors, barriers, airbrick covers) as well as interior adaptations to speed up drying and recovery if water enters. Provides tips, case studies of households with PFR, and encourages homeowners to “build back better” after floods.

  • Blue Pages Flood Product Directory (National Flood Forum) – An independent directory of property-level flood protection products and services, compiled by the National Flood Forum. Helps you find vetted solutions – from flood barriers and pumps to air brick covers – to reduce flood risk to your home or business. Each category explains what the products do, aiding informed choices about resilience measures. All listings are impartial and publicly accessible, avoiding commercial bias while linking you with suppliers.

  • Be Flood Ready (CIWEM) This guidance from CIWEM provides clear and practical advice to homeowners on how to protect their properties and manage flood risk effectively.