Abstract: A detection assembly for detecting moisture within an unsaturated permeable soil or soil-like medium is disclosed which includes a funnel 11 having a surface inclined in use to the vertical for distorting the flow streamlines within the medium to cause an increase in fluid content and saturation at points in the permeable medium; a cup 13 beneath the funnel for collecting free fluid from the saturated permeable medium; a sensor 14 for detecting the presence of free fluid formed upon saturation within the permeable medium, and a vent 16 for venting air from said collection means.

Abstract: A detection assembly for detecting moisture within an unsaturated permeable medium is disclosed, the assembly including streamline distortion means (1) for distorting the flow streamlines within the medium to increase the fluid content at points therein, and detection means (4) for detecting the increased fluid content. A method of detecting moisture within an unsaturated permeable medium is also disclosed which includes distorting the flow streamlines within the unsaturated permeable medium to increase the fluid content at points therein, and detecting the increased fluid content.