Element 3: On Ground Infrastructure
In the urban context on-ground infrastructure for water quality improvement includes the introduction of stormwater quality improvement measures using natural elements such as soil and vegetation to filter out pollutants before they reach receiving waters. This is part of the treatment train approach to total water cycle management whereby the most appropriate stormwater quality improvement measures are designed to suit a particular situation e.g. new development, infill development, public infrastructure or retrofits in existing urban areas.
The objective of the treatment train approach is firstly to reduce or treat the pollutants at the source and then work along the treatment train as appropriate using a variety of measures including; buffer strips, swale drains, bioretention systems, sediment basins, constructed wetlands and gross pollutant traps.
The on-ground infrastructure component of the Townsville WQIP focused on investigating urban stormwater quality management options and the development of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) technical guidelines and associated products. These products need to be tested in the Townsville environment to ensure that the best measures are being designed and constructed and that the maintenance requirements do not cause undue burden on Council.
For more information on the Townsville WSUD products click here.Final Products:
- WSUD design objectives;
- WSUD ‘Roadmap’
- WSUD factsheets;
- WSUD technical design guidelines;
