Catchment Solutions
Water is a limited resource that all living things need to survive. With increasing threats to waterway health such as climate change, population increase and rapid urbanisation, it is the responsibility of us all to protect our water sources for the wellbeing of our communities and planet.
In urban environments, stormwater run-off has been identified as the greatest threat to our waterways. Luckily, there are actions we can all implement in our everyday activities to improve waterway health.
Water Sensitive Urban Design
Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is a type of integrated water management used to capture, treat and/or re-use stormwater before it enters our waterways and includes a range of management practices and devices.
WSUD is about integrating the water cycle into urban planning by designing, constructing and maintaining our urban water environments to closely match the natural hydrological and ecological processes that exist prior to development.
For example, some WSUD management practices focus on slowing down flows of stormwater run-off and redirecting it towards local creeks and rivers. This gives the surface water more time to infiltrate the soil without causing excessive erosion of stream banks. This practice can even improve the quality of the water.
There are also instances where stormwater is stored and used locally (as above) or released slowly to control water flow in streams.
Below is a list of WSUD solutions:
Rainwater tanks collect rainwater from roofs and hard surfaces. In urban areas, rainwater from tanks is mainly used for watering gardens, laundry and flushing toilets.
Bioswales (grassed or vegetated swales) are depressions covered in plants to remove sediment and suspended solids. Their efficiency depends on type and height of vegetation.
Rain gardens / biofiltration systems are vegetated basins that slow water down and remove sediments, nutrients and other pollutants by passing water through gravel, sand and plants.
Buffer strips are strips of vegetation, such as grasses and shrubs, used to absorb road runoff. They remove pollutants and coarse sediments, such as soil and gravel, from stormwater.
Wetlands are natural water filtering systems made up of plants such as grasses and reeds. They remove soil, sediments, nutrients, some chemicals and litter from stormwater. Wetlands use a combination of physical, chemical and biological processes to remove pollutants.
Ponds are open bodies of water that settle sediments out of the water. Phytoplankton or other living organisms break down nutrients and sunlight disinfects the water.
Permeable paving reduces or eliminates stormwater runoff because water is able to go through the surface and into the ground or storage system. It can help reduce pollution and control erosion while assisting property owners to reduce the impervious surface area.
Green roofs, walls and facades can be made to suit a variety of building types and are particularly suitable for multistorey flats and apartments.
End of pipe solutions include:
Gross pollutant traps remove large pollutants such as litter and leaves from stormwater. They include trees, rocks and litter booms and are commonly used in urban areas. They require regular maintenance.
Sedimentation basins are large bodies of open water that remove sediment, soil and litter. Water is held for periods of time while pollution settles out of it
The Cooks has many Subcatchment Management Plans
These are a great way to link your school plan to what is best practice planning in the community.
They are also a fantastic resource for highlighting what the future for the Cooks River might look like.
WSUD aims to improve the ability of urban environments to capture, treat and re-use stormwater before it has the chance to pollute and degrade our creeks and rivers.
Sydney Water is working closely with a number of Councils across Sydney to deliver a range of WSUD projects which will have many benefits including;
Reducing the quantity of stormwater runoff
Improving the quality of stormwater runoff
Protecting and restoring creeks and rivers
Improving wildlife habitat
Improving the appearance of streets and parks
Cooling our local environment by retaining water
Water for Liveability
Should we be using drinking water for everything?
Why do we let rainwater and waste water just wash away?
It is not only wasteful but harmful to our environment and our waterways.
Now we know we can capture the water we let wash away and use it for a range of purposes in our homes and communities.
The Liveable Street
Video by Inner West Council showing trees are essential to making our cities more liveable, resilient & healthy places to live and grow.
A Simple Pollution Solution
Cities across the globe are looking to Australia for a simple pollution solution to stop rubbish from spoiling creeks and river systems.
In March 2018, nets were fitted to the mouths of two local stormwater drains to trap litter and debris that washed into the system after a rain storm.
Cup and Saucer Wetlands
Cup and Saucer Wetlands is another constructed wetland built in the early stages of Sydney Water’s Cooks River Naturalisation Project. The wetlands are fed by slow flowing water from the Cup and Saucer Creek and provides significant habitat for local birds and aquatic fauna. The wetlands were designed to capture sediment and remove pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the catchment.
Dully Public School Rain Garden
Dulwich Hill Public School took a unique opportunity to build a rain garden that was beautiful, sustainable and educational.
With some expert help from Sydney’s Inner West Council, Marrickville and a grant from the NSW State Government they decided to take on an ambitious project that would not only solve the school’s water problems but would also make a contribution to the rehabilitation of the Sydney’s waterways. Something the kids could actually see and be a part of.
Activity Questions:
Explain what Water Sensitive Urban Design is?
Choose one solution for your school that would benefit the health of the Cooks River?
What are some the many ways trees can improve the amenity and health of the city streets?