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 Download Committee Details

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 2015 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 2016 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.


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.

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The Margetts Bursary in Urban Drainage Engineering 

The Margetts Bursary in Urban Drainage Engineering bursary is sponsored by CIWEM and RPS Environmental Management Ltd (RPS) to recognise the significant contributions made by Jamie Margetts in the field of urban drainage engineering, both in the UK and internationally.

Jamie was a technical director of RPS and chaired CIWEM’s Urban Drainage Group at the time of his death. As well as being part of the team that developed one of the UK’s most innovative Urban Drainage consultancies he made significant contributions to raising the technical capabilities of the UK Urban Drainage community. In particular, he always placed great emphasis on the education, mentoring and training of young urban drainage professionals.

This bursary has been set up to continue this work, by supporting young professionals (early career graduates, or final year undergraduates) to improve their capabilities in the field of urban drainage.

The bursary is of a value of £3,000, and will be awarded annually.

The purpose of the bursary is to:

  • To provide financial support for a young professional to obtain a postgraduate qualification which can support a career in the field of urban drainage.
  • To provide financial support to allow a young professional to carry out a period of research-based study that would significantly contribute to their career development in the field of urban drainage.

To apply for this bursary please include an up-to-date version of your CV which outlines

your previous academic studies and/or current professional activities, and a 400-word statement which explains:

  • What research, project, equipment etc you would use your bursary for.
  • How this would tie in with the vision that Jamie Margetts had for sustainable management of water and the environment, which he strived to deliver daily through his role at RPS and his leadership of CIWEM’s Urban Drainage Group.

Please email your applications to victoria.harris@ciwem.org by Friday 08 February, and include the title of the bursary in the subject heading. The selection panel will be made up of representatives of CIWEM and RPS.

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Related Groups and Networks

Contaminated Land Network

Waste and Resources Management Network

Wastewater and Biosolids Network

Governance

CIWEM has a history of working in environmental management dating back to 1895. Since then, our members have been the leading practitioners in improving the quality and management of water and the environment. Learn more about our Trustee Board.

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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.

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General Enquiries
+44 (0)20 7831 3110
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