Context

SDS installed 50 Intellistorm® smart water butts across Wrea Green, a village in Lancashire, with a further 35 planned, each equipped with sensors and SDS SYMBiotIC™ monitoring and reporting software.

The village is home to the UK’s single largest deployment of domestic smart rainwater recycling systems. With support from water services supplier United Utilities, the scheme addresses surface water run-off from residential properties, which has regularly overwhelmed the local sewer network, increasing the risk of flooding and pollution during storm events. 

Project detail

The Intellistorm® system and SDS SYMBiotIC™ monitoring and reporting software uses live weather forecasting data to automatically release stored water ahead of expected rainfall, ensuring the tanks are ready to maximise their capture of incoming stormwater. This rainwater is reused by residents for non-potable purposes, reducing demand for mains water. 

Community engagement was a key component of the successful introduction of the scheme. SDS worked closely with United Utilities and local residents to gain trust, tailor systems to each property, and ensure smooth installations despite diverse drainage layouts. 

Result

The technology has already delivered measurable improvements in surface water management, reduced flood incidents, and strengthened community confidence in local resilience. The scheme has set a new benchmark for smart, sustainable infrastructure in residential settings and supports national climate adaptation goals. 

Testimonial

"This project is an important step in demonstrating how smart, site-specific technologies like Intellistorm® and SYMBiotIC™ can be deployed at scale in residential settings. By combining real-time data and predictive control, we’re helping to manage surface water more effectively at source, reducing the burden on sewer networks and supporting wider flood resilience objectives. It’s a practical, forward-looking solution that addresses both current and future drainage challenges."
– Katy Bevan, Operations Manager, Rainwater Management, United Utilities