Water Sensitive Designs

small improvements, new ideas, concepts and

sketch designs for stormwater filtration systems
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Requests and
enquiries concerning use or reproduction should be forwarded to [email protected]

This project is supported by Healthy Waterways, through funding from the Australian Government Reef Programme and was
developed in collaboration with the Reef Urban Stormwater Management Improvement Group (RUSMIG). RUSMIG represents
the key urban stakeholders in the Great Barrier Reef catchment, including Local Governments, Regional Natural Resource
Management bodies, the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority. The principal role of RUSMIG is an information exchange forum to share experiences and knowledge about urban
stormwater management and associated topics.

Water by Design 2014-008 / Lead Author: Glenn Browning / Water by Design Reef team: Andrew O’Neill, Dave Logan, Jack
Mullaly, Karen Toms, Kristy Gooding, Scott Paten, Solvej Patschke / Design by Inkahoots / Sketches by Jim Gall.

Disclaimer: The material contained in this publication is produced for general information only. It is not intended as a substitute
for professional advice and does not take into account specific applications. Before the use of, or reliance on, any material in
this publication, it is the responsibility of the user to determine the suitability and applicability, and where appropriate consult
a qualified professional advisor. To the extent permitted by law, Healthy Waterways Limited expressly disclaim any and all
liability to any person in respect of anything done by any person in reliance on any information in this publication. The information
2 / PROTECT
contained AND does
in this publication ENHANCE WATERWAYS
not necessarily represent the views of Healthy Waterways Limited.
Water
Sensitive
Designs
small improvements,
new ideas, concepts
and sketch designs
for stormwater
filtration systems
Protect & Enhance Waterways

Infiltration Flow Management Water Quality Habitat

Enhance Landscape Amenity

Community Interest Visual Impact Sense of Place Landscape Amenity

4 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

Maximise Benefits to Community

Microclimate Stormwater Reuse Safety Passive Recreation

Manage Capital & Lifecycle Costs

Resource Efficient Space Efficient Efficient Maintenance Material Sustainability

By promoting infiltration throughout
catchments and adjacent to creeks
we can help restore the natural
watercycle and lessen the impact
on downstream waterways.

6 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

Infiltration
Tree Pit
application: road verges / footpaths
advantage:
• promotes infiltration
• stormwater treatment
• economical to build
• improve tree growth /shade

note: this can be modelled in MUSIC using a bioretention node with

low hydraulic conductivity and no extended detention depth
idea (sourced or via): BCC & Matt Nolan EDAW

Infiltration Water Quality Resource Efficient Microclimate

8 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

flow direction ribs
for improved inflow street tree

perforated
ag pipe
Infiltration Basin
application: stormwater outlets next to riparian zones
advantage:
• infiltration & sheet flow to riparian zone
• stormwater treatment
• lower cost
• shade
• hydrological benefit

note: hydrological benefit can be modelled in MUSIC by adding infiltration

to a bioretention node
refer: Water by Design - Field Guide for suitable tree species in your local area
idea (sourced or via): BMTWBM & BCC

Infiltration Water Quality Resource Efficient Microclimate Flow Management

10 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

 distributed flows

insitu sandy soil

Infiltration Swale
application: adjacent to riparian zones
advantage:
• promotes infiltration
• stormwater treatment
• hydrological benefit
• lower cost

note: hydrological benefit can be modelled in MUSIC by adding

infiltration to a swale node

Infiltration Water Quality Resource Efficient Flow Management

12 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

Coastal Bioretention
application: coastal bioretention systems on sand
advantage:
• maximise infiltration
• low cost
• minimise stormwater pipes

note: groundwater level / adjacent landuse and structures

Infiltration Resource Efficient

14 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

insitu sandy soil endemic coastal vegetation

ensure adequate
depth to groundwater
Unless regulated, the development
and hardening of catchments can have
detrimental impacts on local streams
and creeks. It is important to try and
avoid these impacts before repair
work becomes necessary.
Flow management can be achieved by
increasing permeable areas, promoting
infiltration, stormwater harvesting and
stormwater detention.

16 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

Flow Management
Lotscale Infiltration
application: residential lots
advantage:
• avoids hydrological impacts
• promote infiltration

note: consult geotech for infiltration near footings

refer: green roof design guidelines http://www.growinggreenguide.org/
idea (sourced or via): Alan Hoban – Bligh Tanner

Flow Management Infiltration

18 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

 permeable paving

green roof

Two storey house

maximises backyard
for infiltration

Infiltration under house

Infiltration Terrace
application: sites with sufficient space
advantage:
• flow management
• infiltration

note: consider groundwater depth / adjacencies / insitu soil type

idea (sourced or via): Peter Breen - AECOM

Flow Management Infiltration

20 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

Infiltration replenishes
groundwater
Basin Outlet Control
application: bioretention systems with detention
advantage:
• hydrological benefit
• help achieve waterway stability objective
• single outlet pit

note: requires hydraulic design / note safety (depth) considerations

Flow Management Resource Efficient

22 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

additional
flood storage
orifice for further
flow attenuation
extended
detention
Pollution threatens the health of
our local waterways. An important
function of any WSUD device is to
capture and treat pollutants and
improve water quality.

24 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

Water Quality
Floating Wetlands
application: retrofit to urban lakes and ponds
with poor water quality
advantage:
• water quality treatment

note: specific maintenance requirements / potential low DO conditions

beneath mats if no flow
idea (sourced or via): SPEL environmental and Redlands IndigiScapes Centre

Water Quality

26 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

pollutants removed
via root system
Dedicated Carwash
Parking Bay
application: multiunit developments
advantage:
• capture pollutants at source
• minimise potable water use

note: check groundwater proximity if using infiltration methods

idea (sourced or via): Dylan Cain – CCE & Australian Carwash Association

Water Quality Stormwater Reuse

28 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

rainwater tank biopod

carwash bay
(if no biopod, use
permeable paving)
Side Cast Weir
application: retrofit of WSUD into developed catchments
advantage:
• improve water quality in creek and adjacent stream
• offline systems reduce the likelihood of high velocities
within treatment systems

note: consider flooding issues / sediment loading and blinding issues

idea (sourced or via): Peter Breen and AECOM

Water Quality

30 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

bioretention basin weir

constructed wetland
It is important when designing stormwater
treatment systems that we not to lose
sight of the fundamental goal of habitat
preservation. Habitat needs can be
accommodated by:
• Conserving existing creeks
• Providing sufficient riparian buffer widths
• Assessing fauna needs
• Sourcing local plant stock
• Managing the interface between urban
and riparian zones

32 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

Habitat
Habitat Logs
application: bioretention basins and constructed wetlands
advantage:
• provides habitat
• make use of any trees cleared for development

note: local fauna requirements

idea (sourced or via): Dean Challenor & Christoph Pester - EDAW

Habitat

34 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

hollows for fauna
Flow Spreader
application: basins outlets next to riparian zones
advantage:
• sheet flow to riparian zone
• promotes infiltration
• supplies water to more vegetation
• more treatment of stormwater

note: scour protection requirements

Habitat Infiltration Water Quality

36 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

 stormwater pipe

key bund into distributed flows

embankment
Fish Friendly Outlet
application: large scale constructed wetlands
adjacent to riparian zones
advantage:
• habitat
• simple construction

note: exotic fish species may disturb base sediments within wetlands
idea (sourced or via): Matt Moore - Reef Catchments

Habitat

38 / PROTECT AND ENHANCE WATERWAYS

 wetland

weir with vertical slot rock ladder with

maximum drop 80mm refuge pools
The general community can be valuable
allies for environment causes. WSUD should
improve community understanding of the
water cycle and promote stewardship.

40 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Community Interest
Feature Biopod
application: prominent sites with limited available space
advantage:
• point of interest
• small footprint
• capture rainwater
• water treatment

note: additional irrigation may be required to sustain plants

Community Interest Space Efficient Stormwater Reuse Water Quality

42 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

 spout

perspex pod with

coloured sand
filter media

stormwater
harvesting cabinet

window to gauge
water level
Art Feature Pit Grate
application: prominent overflow pits
advantage:
• connect public to marine conservation
• aesthetics

note: integration of hydraulics / maintenance access

Community Interest Sense of Place

44 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

open grate

overflow pit
Grate Detailing
application: shallow streetscape bioretention
systems with grate/drains
advantage:
• create community interest
• aesthetics
• low profile drain

note: trafficability considerations

Community Interest Sense of Place Space Efficient

46 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

 interpretive details

bioretention surface
Eco Shower
application: beachside showers / eco resorts
advantage:
• create community interest
• feature
• at source treatment

idea (sourced or via): Jun Yasumoto - inhabitat.com

Community Interest Sense of Place Water Quality

48 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

hardy endemic coastal vegetation
Concrete pits, headwalls, scour pads and
retaining walls should seamlessly blend
into the landscape or be used to create
striking features.

50 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Visual Impact
Circular Pit
application: urban bioretention systems
advantage:
• improved aesthetics
• comparable cost

note: maintenance access requirements

idea (sourced or via): Shaun Leinster – DesignFlow

Visual Impact Resource Efficient

52 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Perimeter Step
application: urban bioretention systems with dropoff
advantage:
• reduced visual impact

note: risk assessment requirements

Visual Impact

54 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

fence has negative reduced visual impact
visual impact

fixed to wall

tactile paving

utilise filtermedia
under step
Energy Dissipation Sculpture
application: basins with high velocity flows
advantage:
• reduced visual impact
• energy dissipation
• scour protection
• point of interest

note: safety / maintenance / structural considerations

Visual Impact Efficient Maintenance Community Interest

56 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Designs should aim to create unique
localities that reference local character
and enhance a sense of place.
One way this can be achieved is by
providing opportunities for the general
community to observe flowing water.

58 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Sense of Place
Downpipe Garden
application: on-lot bioretention systems
advantage:
• ownership by resident
• small footprint
• low cost
• at source water treatment

note: consult geotech for infiltration next to footings

(or try a surcharge outlet away from house - idea: Sally Boer – E2 Designlab)

Sense of Place Space Efficient Resource Efficient Water Quality

60 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

edge restraint
Internal Biopod
application: office space / hotel lobby
advantage:
• sense of place
• connection to outside rainfall
• no external footprint
• stormwater treatment

note: integration of hydraulics

Sense of Place Community Interest Space Efficient Water Quality

62 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Cascade Outlet
application: roofwater treatment systems
advantage:
• water feature
• improve dissolved oxygen
• community interest when raining

note: consider signage / public interaction with stormwater and associated safety issues

Sense of Place Habitat Community Interest

64 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Urban Waterfall
application: outlets with difficult grade issues
advantage:
• water feature
• aesthetics
• improved dissolved oxygen
• prevents erosion

note: safety / structural stability issues

Sense of Place Visual Impact Habitat

66 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

stormwater outlet

pool dissipates
energy in water
With the density of developments ever
increasing, there are strong drivers for
enhancing the local environmental, social
and cultural amenity.
This can be achieved by introducing
elements that beautify and soften
the urban landscape.

68 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Landscape Amenity
Vertical Garden
application: sites with limited available space
advantage:
• soften urban landscape
• small footprint
• point of interest
• passive cooling benefits

note: additional irrigation may be required

Landscape Amenity Space Efficient Community Interest Microclimate

70 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

Terrace Planter
application: steep sites with terraced retaining walls
advantage:
• soften urban landscape
• optimal use of space between walls
• feature wall
• stormwater treatment

note: maintenance / structural and drainage requirements of retaining wall

Landscape Amenity Space Efficient Sense of Place Water Quality

72 / ENHANCE LANDSCAPE AMENITY

 bioretention trench

terrace retaining wall

flow distribution system

outlet to
stormwater network
Water and shade can be used in
combination to mitigate the effects
of the urban heat island and create
cooler more liveable environments.

74 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Microclimate
Microclimate Design
application: bioretention systems
advantage:
• improved plant establishment
• reduced weed growth and maintenance

note: CPTED issues

idea (sourced or via): Andrew Cook - AECOM

Microclimate Efficient Maintenance

76 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

shadows cool shrubs protect from
surface of basin prevailing winds
Tree Island
application: large bioretention basins with insufficient
depth for trees
advantage:
• aesthetics
• improve plant establishment
• reduced weed growth and maintenance

note: tree suitability

idea (sourced or via): Ben Walker – ICC

Microclimate Visual Impact Efficient Maintenance

78 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

 filter media

sleeper retaining wall

Urban Cool Pool
application: urban plazas
advantage:
• reduce temperatures in local area
• community feature

note: water to be fit for purpose / safety considerations

idea (sourced or via): Peter Skinner, UQ & Masdar Project, AECOM

Microclimate Sense of Place

80 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

 cool breeze
over plaza

prevailing winds

shaded pool of water

Extended droughts can greatly
diminish the available water supply
for communities. In order to to build
resilience, smart development makes
best use of it’s water resources via fit
for purpose stormwater reuse schemes.

82 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Stormwater Reuse
Stormwater Harvest
application: bioretention systems adjacent parks
advantage:
• alternative water supply
• hydrological benefit
• improved landscape outcomes
• additional treatment

note: water to be fit for purpose

Stormwater Reuse Flow Management Landscape Amenity Water Quality

84 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

 overflow to stormwater network

pump to irrigation parks

impermeable liner

stormwater harvesting cells

Infiltration Branch
application: downstream of bioretention basins
advantage:
• utilise treated stormwater
• promote infiltration
• improved tree growth
• hydrological benefit
• additional treatment

note: groundwater conditions / water needs for tree species / tree suitability

Stormwater Reuse Infiltration Landscape Amenity Water Quality

86 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

fruit trees

Infiltration trench

slotted collector pipe

Stormwater Mining
application: opportunistic / stormwater lines with
capacity issues
advantage:
• harvest stormwater for reuse
• hydrological benefit
• promote infiltration
• reduce pressure on stormwater network
• additional treatment

note: groundwater conditions, water to be fit for purpose

Stormwater Reuse Flow Management Infiltration Resource Efficient Water Quality

88 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

 fruit trees

Infiltration trench existing stormwater line

Any infrastructure placed within community
reach should consider public safety.

90 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Safety
Pod Lighting
application: urban basins with dropoff /
lighting requirements
advantage:
• safety
• water ripples cast onto wall
• night time aesthetics

note: use submersible electrics if below water level

Safety Sense of Place Visual Impact

92 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Letterbox Pit / Seat
application: urban bioretention systems
advantage:
• seat acts as barrier to drop off
• pit hidden from view
• pit can function as seat

note: maintenance requirements

idea (sourced or via): Tarek Barklay - AECOM

Safety Visual Impact Passive Recreation

94 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Carpark Bioretention Swale
application: carpark bioretention systems
advantage:
• trafficable surface eliminates drop off
• minimise footprint

note: structural loading requirements / sunlight penetration for deep systems

Safety Space Efficient

96 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Design outcomes can contribute
to healthy living aspirations within
communities by encouraging recreation,
contemplation and general well-being.

98 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Passive Recreation
View Deck
application: wetlands
advantage:
• passive recreation
• sense of place

note: safety considerations

Passive Recreation Sense of Place

100 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

Ornamental Pond
Filtration System
application: ornamental ponds
advantage:
• passive recreation
• point of interest
• help maintain pond water quality

note: saftey considerations

Passive Recreation Community Interest Material Sustainability

102 / MAXIMISE BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

With funding often in short supply, it is
beneficial to create resource efficient
WSUD systems that maximise outcomes
while considering the upfront and
ongoing life-cycle costs.

104 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

Resource Efficiency
Small Sediment Forebay
application: streetscape bioretention systems
advantage:
• low cost
• easy maintenance / no ponding / scour protection

idea (sourced or via): Christoph Pester & Courtney Henderson AECOM

Resource Efficient Efficient Maintenance

106 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

grass paver edge restraint

grass paver

edge restraint

filter milter
Medium Sediment Forebay
application: bioretention basin
advantage:
• low cost
• easy maintenance / no ponding / scour protection

note: allow for impacts on hydraulics / beams can be removed at later date
idea (sourced or via): Gary Deans Constructions - Freshwater Estate

Resource Efficient Efficient Maintenance

108 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 stormwater inlet concrete pad wooden beams

rock for scour protection

Low Impact Access Track
application: basin access tracks
advantage:
• low cost
• aesthetics
• minimises materials

note: batter slope requirements

idea (sourced or via): Andrew Cook - AECOM

Resource Efficient Visual Impact Material Sustainability

110 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

deco gravel removable topsoil low hardy bioretention
parking bay bollard ground covers surface

rock reinforcing
Pitless Bioretention
application: bioretention systems next to riparian zones
advantage:
• cost saving for pits
• multiple distributed stormwater outlets
• engage riparian zone

note: surface protection at outlets and overflow weir

Resource Efficient Flow Management Habitat

112 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

weir overflow riparian zone
During the planning and concept design
phases, system designs should recognise
the relative price of land and provide the
appropriate level of space efficiency.

114 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

Space Efficiency
Balcony Planter
application: multi storey units
advantage:
• minimise footprint
• treatment of roofwater
• aesthetics

note: structural support as required / filter media specification can be adapted

to ensure adequate landscape outcome

Space Efficient Water Quality Sense of Place

116 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

Raised Planter Box
application: urban areas with outlet depth issues
advantage:
• can be free draining
• landscape feature
• roofwater treatment

note: include small soakage pit to empty surcharge pipe after storm / consult
geotech for infiltration

Space Efficient Sense of Place Water Quality

118 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 surcharge water
to basin surface

first flush /
overflow point

leaky sump
allows pipe to
empty between
storms
Constrained Drainage Layer
application: bioretention systems with a constrained
drainage layer
advantage:
• utilise available space
• maximise surface area
• minimise materials

note: consult geotechnical engineer for infiltration systems next to footings / piered
footings may reduce intrusions
idea (sourced or via): Hoyland Street bioretention basin

Space Efficient Resource Efficient Material Sustainability

120 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 reduced width
intrusion into
drainage layer
Pool to Pond Conversion
application: infill residential subdivisions
advantage:
• make use of existing pool
• minimise materials
• water treatment
• aesthetics

note: consider integration of hydraulics / public interaction and associated safety issues
idea (sourced or via): Ku-ring-gai Council - Pool to Pond

Space Efficient Resource Efficient Water Quality Sense of Place

122 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 wetland plants

existing pool
As with most functioning landscapes,
WSUD systems require ongoing
maintenance for them to be kept
in a functional and attractive
state. Designs can reduce ongoing
maintenance requirements for asset
owners by ensuring good initial plant
establishment and coverage.
One way this can be achieved is by
carefully managing flow distribution
and ponding within systems.

124 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

Efficient Maintenance
Wet Zone / Dry Zone Planting
application: bioretention systems with intermittent flows
causing algae at inlet
advantage:
• prevent algae takeover and plant loss
• no change to basin design

note: plants to be fit for purpose

idea (sourced or via): Wiebke Witte - AECOM

Efficient Maintenance Resource Efficient

126 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

wet zone dry zone

melalueca ficinia nodosa

quinquenervia lomandra hysterix
juncus usitatus themeda triandra
gahnia seiberiana
Trickle Flows
application: basins with trickle flows causing algae at inlet
advantage:
• prevent algae growth and plant loss

note: trickle flows depend on catchment behaviours and can change over time
idea (sourced or via): Courtney Henderson & Sally Boer AECOM

Efficient Maintenance

128 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 gravel layer prevents
light penetration to
ponded water

ensure adequate
filter media depth
to prevent short
circuiting

clean
trickle flows
bypassed to
saturated
zone basin
Pilot Channel
application: large basins with flow distribution issues or
moisture gradients
advantage:
• even distribution of flow
• improve plant health at far end of basin

note: sediment buildup issues

idea (sourced or via): Peter Breen - AECOM

Efficient Maintenance

130 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 flows from inlet
are distributed to
far end of basin

flows across
surface of basin drain or gutter

intermittent
infiltration holes
Temporary Upstand
application: establishing plants in bioretention systems
advantage:
• provides temporary watertable for establishing plants
• faster plant establishment

note: potential to leach nutrients if left for long period

idea (sourced or via): Shaun Leinster - DesignFlow

Efficient Maintenance Visual Impact

132 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

temporary
water source for
establishing plants

temporary Tee
and upstand pipe

support block
Surface Clogging
application: bioretention systems with surface blinding
advantage:
• low cost rectification

note: consider use of of grasses, sedges, shrubs and trees / hand removal of weeds
can further break up filter media surface / additional works may be required if
clogging layer is thick
idea (sourced or via): Jack Mullaly – Logan City Council

Efficient Maintenance Resource Efficient

134 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

surface clogging densely replant with
causing water to be aquatic and riparian
permanently ponded - plants to breakup
plants drowned surface clogging and
lower water level
Surface Ponding
application: bioretention systems with surface blinding
advantage:
• low cost rectification
• maintain plant health

note: water quality impacts of short circuiting

idea (sourced or via): Jack Mullaly – Logan City Council

Efficient Maintenance Resource Efficient

136 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 surface clogging
causing water to be
permanently ponded

endcap
removed
to flushout
point

OR core drilled
in pit wall
Subsurface Ponding
application: bioretention systems with ponding
advantage:
• low cost rectification

note: short circuiting

idea (sourced or via): Jack Mullaly

Efficient Maintenance Resource Efficient

138 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

 pipe blockage
causing water to be
permanently ponded

pipe blockage wire mesh drill hole in pit wall

In our efforts to move towards long-
term sustainabilty, our choice of materials
needs to consider environmental impact,
renewability and energy inputs.

140 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

Material Sustainability
Material Sustainability
Materials selection is often a balance of competing
benefits and disadvantages as well as consideration
of costs and functionality. Sustainable design should
seek to protect receiving ecosystems while reducing
regional water demands for irrigation. The sourcing of
locally available filter media and plant species is also of
importance to reduce transportation and support local
provenance species.

Material Sustainability

142 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

Broad principles for sustainable selection of materials
are outlined below:

Avoid

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Low impact
- low energy / carbon
- local source
- extraction damage minimised
- non-renewables avoided

Durability – appropriate length of lifecycle

Reasonable costs, functionality and

maintenance requirements
Item Sustainable Options

Earthworks Reduce – modify cell size, shape and orientation to minimise

earthworks volume (e.g. align long axis of basin parallel with contours)
Reduce import / export - balance earthworks on site to avoid extra cut
and fill
Low impact – limit area of disturbance
Low impact – avoid exposure of PASS, AASS and sodic soils

Drainage Low impact – avoid extraction from rivers or creeks

aggregate
Durability – non degrading
Substitution – use washed recycled concrete

Filter media Local sourcing

Low impact extraction
Durability – non degrading

Transition layer Avoid – through careful selection of drainage and filtermedia satisfying
the bridging criteria
Local sourcing
Low impact extraction
Substitution – use an appropriate recycled crushed glass product

Underdrainage Avoid – can an infiltration basin be used?

pipes
Reuse – offcuts, abandoned pipes
Recycle – use recycled plastic

Inlet / outlet pipes Reduce – encourage upstream infiltration (where appropriate) to

reduce pipe size
Reduce – optimise hydraulics to reduce pipe size, use at-source
bioretention on flat sites
Low carbon – low embodied energy for plastic pipes
Low carbon – use fly ash cement for RCP

Topsoil for batters Reuse – Save and reuse topsoil layer from site
Local sourcing – if insitu soil not suitable
Low impact – free of weeds / fireants

144 / MANAGE CAPITAL & LIFECYCLE COSTS

Item Sustainable Options

Liner Avoid – can this be eliminated from the design

Substitute – can insitu clay be used instead of plastic

Concrete Weirs Reduce – optimise hydraulics to reduce weir length

Substitute – can rock protection be used instead
Substitute – low carbon fly ash cement

Concrete Pits Reduce – optimise hydraulics to reduce pit size

Substitute – low carbon fly ash cement

Headwalls Substitute – can rock armouring be used instead?

Substitute – low carbon fly ash cement or recycled plastic

Sediment forebay Avoid or reduce – through careful design

Substitute – low carbon fly ash cement

Access Tracks Reduce – through careful design

Substitute – use reinforced turf / garden (gravel base + topsoil + low
groundcover)

Retaining Walls Avoid – through careful design

Substitute – use boulder walls, low impact extraction, local sourcing
Substitute – use low carbon fly ash cement

Rock Protection Avoid – can velocities be reduced to avoid need?

Low impact – Avoid extraction from rivers or creeks
Avoid material that could pollute or change the pH of the water (e.g. AMD)

Plants Local provenance – grown from local seed by local growers

Organic – grown without pesticides and artificial fertilizers
Durability – use hardy plants to limit dieoff and replanting
Multiuse – carbon sequestration, productive landscapes, biodiverse,
fauna friendly

Irrigation Water Avoid – timing of establishment period with seasonal rain

Avoid – use drought tolerant plant species
Substitute - use suitable alternative water source
Low impact – minimise release of pollutants to environment
Filter Media Layering
application: alternatives to standard profile
advantage:
• less resource consumption
• reduce filter media costs

Alernative Profile 1
note: use only if hydraulic conductivity (HC) unaffected & plants can completely
establish (root depth may be shortened)
idea (sourced or via): Southern Pacific Sands

Alernative Profile 2
note: use only if bridging criteria is satisfied
idea (sourced or via): River Sands

Material Sustainability Resource Efficient

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ALTERNATIVE PROFILE 1 ALTERNATIVE PROFILE 2

FAWB
compliant
FAWB
media
compliant
media
HC
compliant
media
transition
layer
omitted
Filter Media Additives
application: to enhance filter media properties
advantage:
• improved plant establishment

idea (sourced or via): Sally Boer - E2Designlab and Simon Leake - SESL

Material Sustainability

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Low nutrient organic matter:
• Composted garden waste
• Composted pine bark
• Coconut coir
• Composted wood chip fines
• Sugar cane bagasse
• Composted saw dust

Mineral additives:
• Diatomaceous earth
• Zeolites
• Scoria
• Perlite
• Power station ash
• Crushed brick and tile

Other additives to support plant establishment:

• Water retention polymers (water holding crystals)
(1-2% by weight)
• Slow release fertiliser (10g/plant)
• Silica, calcined clay and cellulose based water holding agents.
How Does Your
System Rate?
Discover the new Living Waterways scoring
system at www.waterbydesign.com.au

Submit your own ideas at

[email protected]

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