Seeing the Whole Network: Why Flood Resilience Depends on a Connected View

Date 10.10.2025
Category Advice
Author Conor Holgate

With the wet season approaching and the first named storms already appearing on the forecast, flooding once again returns to the top of local authority agendas. 

Each year, we see the same challenge: preparing networks that were never designed for the intensity of rainfall we now face. Real resilience depends on seeing how every part of the network interacts.

 

Disconnected Data, Disconnected Response

Fragmented data and siloed asset management continue to hinder response and recovery. When drainage, SuDS, and flood reporting live in separate systems, the complete picture of how water moves through a network is lost.

These separate systems lead to many SuDS features still being unmapped or maintenance requirements misunderstood, with little visibility of how they connect to the wider drainage system.

The opportunity now is to join these datasets, making it possible to predict impact, plan resources, and prioritise maintenance based on real risk.

Seeing the Whole Network

Understanding interconnectivity isn’t just a compliance exercise; it’s fundamental for practical, targeted resilience.

With the new SuDS standards (June 2025) and Schedule 3 of the flood and water management act, awaiting implementation, local authorities need complete visibility of every asset: where it is, how it performs, and who’s responsible for it.

As we head into another winter of intense weather, tools that unite SuDS data, flood reports, and drainage networks are vital in helping authorities plan ahead, protect communities, and adapt together.