Urban Drainage Group

Our vision and aims

The CIWEM Urban Drainage Group (UDG) sustains the excellence of people professionally engaged in urban drainage management now and for future generations. It continues the work of WaPUG which was established in 1984.

The aims and objectives of the Urban Drainage Group are aligned with CIWEM’s Royal Charter. They are to:

  • Advance the science and practice of urban drainage management for the public benefit.
  • Promote education, training, study and research in urban drainage management and to publish the results of such research.
  • Establish and maintain appropriate standards of competence for urban drainage management Professionals.

Please contact us at udg@ciwem.org

Download UDG Aims and Objectives

How to get involved with the CIWEM UDG

Joining the CIWEM UDG community provides you with an excellent opportunity to learn from, and network with, urban drainage professionals. To join us, please sign up for our mailing list so that you are among the first to hear about our exciting programme of events and publications.

Joining the mailing list is free. Just create a CIWEM account, navigate to ‘My Special Interest Groups’ and select the Urban Drainage box.

We look forward to welcoming you to our thriving community and together sustaining the excellence of people professionally engaged in urban drainage management.

The Urban Drainage Group and its predecessor WaPUG have a long history of providing guidance to assist the industry to follow best practice. Please find some publications below.

  • Code of Practice for the Hydraulic Modelling of Urban Drainage Systems: this best practice guide was updated in 2017 following significant upgrading with engagement with all UK water utility companies. It covers project definition; data collection; model development; verification; model confidence; application of model; documentation and model management.
  • UDG rainfall guide: published in 2016 this guide supplements the main modelling guide and provides background to various options for representing rainfall in modelling and provides guidance. This aspect of modelling is anticipated to change more frequently than other aspects due to improved climate change predictions; developments in telemetry and radar technology and improved technologies of handling and analysing large data sets. Therefore this guide is separate for the main guide to allow more frequent updates.
  • Event duration modelling good practice guide: this guide published in 2021 collates good practice on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) monitoring.
  • Guide to quality modelling of sewer systems: this guide published in 2006 provides guidance of the production of sewer quality modelling. It supplements the Code of Practice which addresses hydraulic modelling which is the basis of sewer quality models. The modelling of the impact on rivers can be found in the WAPUG River Modelling Guide. Guidance on how these models fit within the framework of Urban Pollution Management can be found in the Urban Pollution Management (UPM) Manual (FWR 1998).
  • Integrated urban drainage modelling guide: published in 2009 this guide outlines the different types of modelling approaches taken to model the urban drainage system and how it interacts with the wider water environment. It follows a similar layout to the Code of Practice covering Project planning; Data collection; Integrated Modelling Methods; Verification; Reporting. This report is currently under review for updating.
  • River data collection guide: published in 1998 this guide outlines the data collection requirements for a UPM study and supplements the River Modelling Guide.
  • River modelling guide: published in 1998 this guide provides guidance of river modelling for use in UPM studies. This report is currently under review for updating.
  • The design of CSO chambers to incorporate screens: latest publication in 2006 this guide sets out current best practice in the design of new CSO chambers to meet aesthetic regulatory requirements using screens. It is aimed primarily at design engineers but it should also prove valuable to environmental regulators, operations personnel, sewer network modellers and drainage area planners.


Here are useful summaries of comment details of how to approach modelling specific more complex elements. These were reviewed and rationalised in 2009. They are generated by the group community and further contributions are welcome, please get in touch with the committee if you wish to add any new ones.

Past Papers from the Urban Drainage Group can be access at the following link: http://ftp2.ciwem.org

If you have any questions please get in touch with Mark Russell.

UDG community page

Get more involved with the Urban Drainage Group! For the latest announcements and discussions, please visit your UDG community page by logging into your account.

Log in here

UDG New Members Development community page

This is a page for all people working towards becoming a qualified member of CIWEM. We are hoping this would be an opportunity to have discussions on key topics; keep up to date with events and activities relevant to those in training; and ask questions of senior members of the UDG communities.

There is a recognition that many members in the UDG community have the same challenges in completing their competencies, and sharing examples of how these objectives are met can help overcome these hurdles. The value of this page will increase with use, so do contribute.

If you have suggestions on how to improve this page please contact James Hale james.hale@em-solutions.co.uk or Rob Greenwood robert.greenwood@stantec.com.


Log in here

Our committee

Diary dates for 2024

Urban Drainage Group Spring 2024 Training Day - 13-14 March 2024

Underpinning decisions with data and modelling – getting it right

Modelling – Understanding opportunities, risks, their mitigation and stakeholder expectations

Understanding the purpose, potential benefits and pitfalls of data management and modelling tools is fundamental to those working in urban drainage. With growing requirements to manage Combined Sewer Overflows, sewer/network capacity, flooding and overall river health while providing greater transparency it is important to understand how data and models can be effectively used.

Managing data, information and modelling is integral to informing investment decisions at all levels and stages of the project life cycle from business planning to detailed design. These are often desired skills for those involved in modelling, design, asset management and compliance in water companies, local authorities, regulators, consultants and other parts of the supply chain.

An understanding and application of appropriate and proportionate modelling approaches with the ability to provide assurances they are suitable for their intended is vital. The evolution of drainage and sewerage planning, the use of big data and transition to Nature-Based Solutions highlight the need for broader competencies and capacity in urban drainage modelling.

This interactive training day (split over two half days) provides an opportunity for those involved in managing data and modelling to explore the application, suitability, risks and their mitigation for different modelling approaches. It will also enable early career professionals to engage with, and learn from, their peers and experienced professionals in their sector.

Sign up now

CIWEM UDG Annual Conference - Highlights 2023

Related Events

Related Groups and Networks

Governance

Since 1895, our members have been the leading practitioners in improving the quality and management of water and the environment. Learn more about our Trustee Board.

Find out more

Our Communities

We provide a forum for professional debate and the opportunity for members to meet and socialise through a strong network of local branches and groups. You can drive knowledge and best practice by getting involved with our special interest groups.

Find out more