SDS supported Devon and Cornwall Police in achieving their environmental goals with the installation of a smart rainwater recovery and #reusesystem at their #Exeter headquarters. By repurposing an existing #attenuationtank, the system supplies stored rainwater for toilet flushing across the site, which supports up to 500 officers and staff. Since going live in 2023, it has delivered over 150,000 litres of recycled #rainwater, meeting 93% of the building’s non-potable water demand, and drawing just 11,000 litres from the mains. This intelligent solution, equipped with SDS SYMBiotIC™ real-time monitoring, enables detailed performance reporting and ensures long-term operational efficiency. Funded in part by the Strategic Panel's Market Improvement Fund, the project demonstrates the practical potential of retrofitting rainwater reuse systems into operational public sector buildings — reducing #environmentalimpact, lowering costs, and maximising the value of existing infrastructure. Find out more here: sdsinfrastructure.com/case-s…

Blackburns Farm Nurseries and Wildlife Centre is the first farm to have been awarded the Wildlife Trust’s prestigious “Biodiversity Benchmark”, joining such heralded company as Center Parks, EDF new nuclear power stations, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and the Met Office HQ in demonstrating an ongoing commitment to #biodiversity protection and enhancement. Since Summer last year the Farm’s polytunnels have been growing fresh produce for supply on a weekly basis to its onsite café and to local foodbanks, made possible by SDS Intellistorm® smart rainwater recycling technology. In this Planet Possible Spotlight podcast (planet-possible-spotlight.si…) Farm Manager, Kirsty Cropper, explains how the technology has proven “a real gamechanger”, whilst United Utilities’ Operations Manager, Katy Bevan, discusses the significant contribution it will make in the Water Company’s achievement of its current and future AMP objectives. accordion.live/SDS For more information read the full Case Study here: sdsinfrastructure.com/case-s… #BlackburnsFarm #Lancashire #Podcast

SDS has supported the development of Oasis Academy Temple Quarter in #Bristol with the installation of a GEOlight® attenuation tank for sustainable surface water management. This impressive new eight-form entry #secondaryschool will welcome 1,600 students aged up to 18. Situated alongside the Feeder Canal on a historically industrial site, the development’s design celebrates and repurposes its heritage — including the sensitive conversion of the Grade II listed Boiler Shop into a dedicated sports block. With limited space and a rich historical setting, our GEOlight® attenuation system was the ideal solution to help manage rainwater safely and sustainably below ground, while maximising above-ground space for learning and play.

Home Park Stadium, home to Plymouth Argyle Football Club for over 120 years, serves as a key part of the Club’s sustainability plan and mission to become carbon neutral by 2050 and to halve emissions by 2030. With support from the Strategic Panel's Market Improvement Fund and administered by MOSL, the Club is one of eight non-residential sites identified in the #SouthWest to trial smart #rainwaterharvesting and recycling through leveraging underground rainwater assets. For several years water from the Stadium’s roof has been disposed of via an underground attenuation tank; however, in order to reuse this water, primarily for the sprinkler system which irrigates the pitch, it is now diverted from the attenuation tank to four new 10,000 litre storage tanks located above ground. In this podcast (lnkd.in/ehpSTrBg) PAFC personnel reflect on the impact the system has had, whilst MOSL CEO, Sarah McMath, discusses the significance of this project and others like it. lnkd.in/e3HgV4G7 For more information on this project, you can read the full Case Study here: lnkd.in/ecWbeuWN

SDS has installed a GEOlight® attenuation tank at the Community Pavilion, part of the 'Stapleford Towns Fund' project. This tank will enhance the #sports facilities at the Pavilion, ensuring they are durable, safe, and usable throughout the year, regardless of #weather conditions. The Pavilion, located at Hickings Lane Recreation Ground, is designed to offer a range of modern, accessible spaces for the #localcommunity, from multi-use event rooms to energy-efficient sports pitches. With the installation of GEOlight®, these sports pitches will be ready to support a wide variety of activities, promoting active and healthy lifestyles for all ages. Scheduled to open in autumn 2025, the Community Pavilion will replace outdated local facilities, providing an inclusive and welcoming space for the #community to gather, learn, and stay active. We look forward to the Pavilion becoming a focal point for #Stapleford’s residents, supporting both physical activity and social cohesion.

After years of repeated #seweroverflow incidents residents of the small #Lancashire village of #WreaGreen have at last been able to play an active and important role in mitigating the problem. With the support of their water services company, United Utilities, over 50 households have had a SDS smart #rainwaterharvesting butt installed on their premises, with more planned. In this Planet Possible Spotlight podcast (planet-possible-spotlight.si…) UU Operations Manager, Katy Bevan, discusses the reasons for her company’s decision to address the issue with what, on first acquaintance, might be viewed as a rainwater harvesting and conservation system but, in practice, “doubles up” as an automated surface water attenuation scheme. From a #WaterCompany perspective Katy explains the approach taken to householder recruitment and the pertinent factors in identifying the collective contribution that a community of individual properties can deliver. accordion.live/SDS For more information read the full Case Study here: sdsinfrastructure.com/case-s…

Today is #WorldPopulationDay, drawing attention to the growing pressure that rising populations place on essential resources—especially #water. In the #UK, regions like the #SouthEast face serious supply challenges. By 2050, population growth and environmental restrictions could leave a daily shortfall of up to 1 billion litres of water in parts of #England, affecting millions. Sustainable solutions—such as leakage reduction, water reuse, and long-term infrastructure planning—are increasingly urgent. Find out more here: ft.com/content/cea81321-263c…

Nestled in the heart of the #Fylde, Lancashire, Blackburns Farm Nurseries and Wildlife Centre is a hub for community #farming and environmental protection. As the farm has grown over the years so, too, have its water needs and, as a charity, the cost of maintaining crops year-round was becoming a challenge. That’s where SDS and United Utilities stepped in, installing an innovative smart #rainwatermanagement system to provide a #sustainable solution. In this “Planet Possible Spotlight” podcast (planet-possible-spotlight.si…) you can hear from some of the key people at both the Farm and the Water Company who were, and continue to remain, directly involved in the system’s specification and installation, and in its ongoing operation and maintenance. accordion.live/SDS For more information on this project you can read the full Case Study here: sdsinfrastructure.com/case-s…

It’s #NetZeroWeek 2025 – the UK’s national awareness campaign to accelerate progress toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Climate Change Committee has warned that without urgent, joined-up action across housing, transport and infrastructure, the UK risks missing its climate targets and locking in higher long-term costs. At SDS, we believe integrated #watermanagement is essential to achieving net zero. Our innovations—like Intellistorm® and SYMBiotIC™—enable smart water reuse and real-time optimisation of water management systems, reducing demand on carbon-intensive mains supplies. These systems are already supporting low-carbon housing like Barratt Developments’ pioneering ‘Z House’, the UK’s first net zero carbon concept home. According to the Independent Water Commission’s June 2025 report, England could face a water deficit of over 5 billion litres per day by 2050 without significant reforms. Net Zero Week is a timely reminder that climate resilience depends on integrated thinking—linking energy, buildings, water and nature-based infrastructure. Learn more about our work for Barratts’ Z House: sdsinfrastructure.com/case-s… Read the full Independent Water Commission report: assets.publishing.service.go… #NetZeroWeek #WaterManagement #ClimateAction #ZHouse #SmartWater #LowCarbonLiving #GreenInfrastructure #SDS

At a packed ceremony in central London last night, SDS was named #Winner of the “Impact in Water and Environment – Contractor” category in the 2025 New Civil Engineer (NCE) Awards. The judges praised the simplicity, scalability and innovation of our in-house technologies — Intellistorm® and SYMBiotIC™ — which combine live weather data and IoT to optimise rainwater harvesting and reuse, reduce flood risk, and build long-term resilience to climate change. They also highlighted our integrated approach, our efforts to influence societal and cultural change, and our educational outreach through schools and universities — noting that SDS has set a strong benchmark for sustainability and is helping to lead the sector. Find out more about our win here: sdsinfrastructure.com/news/ Learn more about our projects here: sdsinfrastructure.com/resour… #NCEAwards #WaterInnovation #Sustainability #SmartWater #FloodResilience #IoT

Welcome to our first “Spotlight” podcast, researched, written, produced and hosted by the highly regarded and knowledgeable team responsible for the acclaimed “Planet Possible” series of podcasts. Following the same guiding principle that drives Planet Possible to promote best practice #environmental custodianship, “Spotlight” productions explore and shine a light on the latest schemes and projects that are proven to be planet-positive but are less well known or widely understood than they perhaps should be. Such initiatives may challenge traditional thinking and accepted best practice, yet their capacity to bring demonstrable benefits to our natural world and all those whose lives it supports warrants exposure to the decision makers, stakeholders, policymakers and influencers that they might not always succeed in reaching. In this inaugural SDS “Spotlight” podcast, host Niki Roach takes a tour of England to discover for herself how smart, Internet-of-Things technology has enabled householders, businesses and even a school to take control of our most precious natural resource – water - by helping to prevent both flooding and water scarcity. Interviews with the people who interface directly with the technology, or experience first-hand the operational practicalities and financial deliverables of the SDS system, provide real world feedback for the benefit of others who are facing similar #watermanagement concerns. The full 35 minutes long podcast can be heard here: bit.ly/PP_Spotlight_SDS. Alternatively, listen via Accordion where the main points are condensed into the time you have available here: accordion.live/SDS #rainwaterharversting #smarttechnology #waterneutrality #watersecurity #zerocarbon

Check back here on Thursday 3rd July to hear our first ‘Planet Possible Spotlight’ podcast "SDS – Water Security in Action", in which Niki Roach speaks with early adopters of smart rainwater recycling and explores the benefits that the SDS Intellistorm® system has brought.

Although the #UK experienced an exceptionally wet winter—one of the wettest October–March periods on record—rainfall dropped sharply in March and April, making it the driest start to spring since 1956 in some areas. This shift highlights the increasing volatility in weather patterns caused by climate change. The Environment Agency has now called on #watercompanies and stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect #water supplies, with notably low reservoir levels reported in the North East and North West of England. At a recent National Drought Group meeting, officials warned of a potential #drought this summer without sustained #rainfall. The Agency emphasised reducing leakage, expanding smart meter use, and promoting customer water efficiency. #Farmers have begun irrigation early due to #dryconditions, and #wildfires have already been reported in several regions. The Environment Agency continues to monitor the situation and urges the public to adopt water-saving measures. With demand for water expected to increase significantly by 2050, sustained action is critical to ensuring future water security. gov.uk/government/news/ea-st…

Installation of the SDS GEOlight® stormwater #attenuation system has now been completed at the Hereford Grange site, a new #housingdevelopment located in the Holmer area on the outskirts of #Hereford. The development will deliver 50 new homes, comprising two, three, and four-bedroom properties. The SDS GEOlight® system has been installed to support sustainable surface water management across the site, enhancing flood resilience and contributing to long-term environmental performance. The #HerefordGrange project lies just off the #A49 and forms part of wider residential growth in the region.

Scientific evidence continues to confirm that #climatechange is increasing the frequency and intensity of #extremeweather worldwide. Rising #globaltemperatures are contributing to heavier and more prolonged rainfall, hotter and longer-lasting heatwaves, extended periods of drought, and more destructive wildfires. Recent analysis by the World Weather Attribution group has shown that events such as the devastating floods in #Spain, extreme heat in the #Sahel region, and #Canada’s worst-ever wildfire season were all made significantly more likely due to human-induced warming. In the UK, the second-wettest October–March period on record was at least four times more likely as a result of climate change. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that these patterns will continue to intensify as temperatures rise further. The physical and societal impacts—from displacement and loss of life to damage to infrastructure and ecosystems—are already being felt across continents. Read more here: bbc.co.uk/news/science-envir…

Drought and land degradation are intensifying, with an estimated 55 million people globally affected by #drought each year. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) warns that by 2050, droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population. The UK has reiterated its commitment to tackling these issues on the global stage. At COP15, UK ministers called for a “green revolution” in land use, advocating for #sustainable agriculture, restoration of degraded lands, and community-led resilience (FCDO, 2022 gov.uk/government/news/a-gre…). This observance serves as a crucial reminder of the link between water scarcity, food systems, and climate adaptation—and the imperative to act now. Learn how SDS solutions can help reduce drought risk: sdsinfrastructure.com/soluti… #Desertification #Drought #SustainableLandUse #ClimateResilience #UNCCD #WorldDayToCombatDesertification

As part of ongoing regeneration works at the Lakes Estate in #Bletchley, SDS GEOlight® has been installed to support #sustainabledrainage across the mixed use #development. Delivered by GRAHAM on behalf of Milton Keynes City Council, this phase of the project will deliver 183 new homes, alongside a nursery, community hub, retail space, and public realm improvements — all contributing to a healthier environment for #residents.

The #ocean regulates our climate, supports #biodiversity, and sustains the livelihoods of over three billion people worldwide. On #WorldOceansDay, attention turns to the urgent need to protect marine #ecosystems from pollution, overfishing and habitat degradation. The UK Government has reinforced its commitment by designating Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in English waters—sites where all damaging activities are prohibited to allow full ecosystem recovery (DEFRA, 2023 gov.uk/government/news/gover…). Preserving ocean health is vital to tackling climate change and protecting livelihoods. In #CombeMartin, Devon, smart #rainwater systems helped cut stormwater #pollution, improving bathing water quality for the first time in five years—showing how local action supports ocean conservation. Find out more here: sdsinfrastructure.com/case-s… #WorldOceansDay #OceanConservation #30by30 #ClimateAction #CleanCoasts #CombeMartin

#WorldEnvironmentDay is a reminder of the urgent need to protect and restore the natural world. In the UK, efforts to support this include a recent £8 million investment in global #conservationprojects, protecting #endangeredspecies and tackling threats to fragile #habitats, including in UK Overseas Territories (DEFRA, 2023 gov.uk/government/news/world…). Restoring ecosystems and safeguarding biodiversity are essential for tackling climate change and ensuring a healthy environment for future generations. #WorldEnvironmentDay #Biodiversity

SDS Intellistorm® is an intelligent #rainwatermanagement system that combines #rainwaterharvesting and #stormwaterattenuation within a single tank. Responding to live weather forecasting and local catchment data, the system automatically releases water ahead of storms to create storage capacity, reducing flood risk and easing pressure on drainage infrastructure. At the same time, Intellistorm® maximises the reuse of harvested rainwater for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling, helping to lower mains water use, reduce costs and cut carbon emissions. It is suitable for commercial, industrial and residential developments and can be scaled from individual properties to community-wide schemes. Furthermore, SDS Intellistorm® systems reduce by as much as £100,000 the cost of integrating water reuse into a new build development where attenuation already exists—eliminating the need for additional tanks or land. Optional greywater recycling and full monitoring via SDS SYMBiotIC™ make it a #sustainable, future-ready solution for #watermanagement. Find out more: sdsinfrastructure.com/produc…