Water Sensitive Urban Design
In water sensitive urban design, water in urban areas is managed carefully to 'fit' its ecological context.
A central design concern is minimising the risks to water bodies which supply water or receive stormwater or treated sewage . Drainage lines include treatment trains that are locally appropriate. Water (be it stormwater, greywater or blackwater) is often reused. Many tools are available to designers. Finding a locally appropriate mix of devices and practices is much of the challenge.
Introducing WSUD
Water Sensitive Urban Design (Australian Runoff Quality - Draft, Institution of Engineers, Australia)
"In its broadest context, WSUD encompasses all aspects of integrated urban water cycle management, including water supply, sewerage and stormwater management. As such, it represents a significant shift in the way water and related environmental resources and water infrastructure are considered in the planning and design of cities and towns. This new approach is based upon the premise that the processes of urban development and redevelopment need to adequately address the sustainability of the water environment."
Key Principles - Water Sensitive Urban Design (Melbourne Water)
A great website on water sensitive urban design from Melbourne Water. Introduces the philosophy of WSUD; this website also provides a practical overview of the devices (their design, life cycle considerations) available to apply WSUD principles.
Water sensitive urban design - a stormwater management perspective (CRC Catchment Hydrology)
Comparison of Construction Costs for Water Sensitive Urban Design and Conventional Stormwater Design (paper)
Nonstructural stormwater quality best management practices (CRC Catchment Hydrology)
"research into the use, value, cost and evaluation of nonstructural best management practices to improve urban stormwater quality (non-structural BMPs). Such BMPs include town planning controls, strategic planning and institutional controls, pollution prevention procedures, education and participation programs, and regulatory controls."
Ecological Contexts (Urbanwater.info)
Urban water cycle management
Approaching water management holistically - aware of where water comes from, where it goes, and how its used in between - is fundamental to water sensitive urban design.
The "urban water cycle" is an open system in which re-cycling of water has traditionally (in Western societies) been minimal. WSUD is committed to increasing the cycling of water within urban areas, reducing the impacts on the creek and aquifer dependent ecosystems which supply our water and the wetlands, creeks, rivers, estuaries and oceans which receive our "waste" water . Reusing water within urban areas reduces impacts on both sets of ecosystems. More 'sensitive' extraction and discharge (managing timing, managing discharge quality, etc) can do so as well.
Policy
Integrated Water Cycle Management Guidelines for NSW Local Water Utilities (DEUS, NSW Govt)
For context and more details see Water (DEUS, NSW Govt).
The Metropolitan Water Plan – Securing Sydney’s water future (Water for Life)
The metropolitan water strategy is intended to provide direction for both sourcing and managing a sustainable water supply for Sydney for the next 25 years. It is available on this site as a pdf download.
Water Cycle Management - A Draft Position Paper (Institution of Engineers, Australia)
Prepared by the National Committee on Water Engineering for the IEA.
Practice
Integrated urban water management: a review of current Australian practice (CSIRO, 2004)
A review of Australian urban development and practice in integrated urban water management (IUWM). The main aim of the review is to present the successes and failures of urban water management and make recommendations about its future direction.
The Economics of Water: Taking Full Account of First Use, Reuse and Return to the Environment (CSIRO)
Urban water conservation and reuse: the untapped potential of harvesting and recycling water in Melbourne (Environment Victoria)
The urban and industrial water research program at CSIRO's Land and Water undertakes research to identify and develop emerging technologies for the storage and treatment of water. This team has worked its with partners to pioneer the research, development and implementation of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) of stormwater and reclaimed water for irrigation. The website provides information on the group's research into the technical feasibility, public health, environmental sustainability, and economic viability of storage and reuse of water . Our research incorporates health and environmental risk assessment which is a vital component in community engagement. We also identify key factors in the successful adoption of recycling innovations and the community values associated with them.
The CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country Flagship has an urban water program that undertakes research into integrated water systems planning, future systems design, demand management and water sensitive environments.
Summary of water recycling in Australia (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering)
An examination of the current state of water recycling in Australia, its direction and recommendations for future management.
The Impact of Supply and Demand Management Approaches on the Security of Sydney’s Water Supply (paper)
Strategic planning for total water cycle management (conference paper; pdf)
Integrated Water Cycle Management (LGSA)
Papers from the annual NSW Local Government Water Management Conference
Demand management in Europe (European Environment Agency)
Covers technologies (e.g. water saving devices), economic instruments (e.g. pricing), education and water reuse.
for the catchment context, see also Water Cycle Management
Planning instruments
BASIX: the NSW Government's Building Sustainability Index
"From July 2004, NSW leads the Australian states in promoting sustainable residential development. How? Simply by requiring a BASIX Certificate with proposals to build homes. The BASIX Certificate is proof that your proposal satisfies the NSW Government's targets to reduce the amount of water and energy we use in our homes. To get a certificate, you need to complete a BASIX assessment."
WaterSmart Model Planning Provisions
These model planning provisions provide the contextual background to IWCM then set out the principles, objectives and generic provisions that can be used in local environmental planning instruments and development control plans within the NSW planning framework. Whilst developed for NSW with a focus on the Hunter Central and Mid-north Coast regions, they have general application. Revised in 2007.
Examples of Development Control Plans (DCPs) with WSUD Provisions
In early 2008 the Hunter Councils- Environment Division conducted a brief review of the WSUD elements of some local government planning practices and tools in NSW. The review considered key Sydney and Hunter Councils. Note this was not a comprehensive review but it will still be of interest to Council plannign and development practitioners.
WSUD Technical Design Guidelines
South East QLD's WSUD Technical Design Guidelines (Healthy Waterways, June 2006)
Melbourne Water's WSUD Engineering Procedures for Stormwater (2005).
WSUD Technical Guide for Western Sydney from the WSUD in Sydney Program (2004)
WSUD: basic procedures for ‘Source control’ of stormwater – a Handbook for Australian practice (First Edition) (Nov 2004)
This Handbook focuses on the principles of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) applied to stormwater management and is endorsed by SIA and the Australian Water Association (AWA). A Student version can be downloaded for free.
The Water Smart Practice Notes set out the range of considerations with respect to components of integrated water cycle management. Whilst developed for NSW with a focus on the Hunter Central and Mid-north Coast regions, they have general application.
| 1. The WaterSmart Home - 706kb PDF |
| 2. Site Planning - 1Mb PDF |
| 3. Drainage Design - 508kb PDF |
| 4. Rainwater Tanks - 786kb PDF |
| 5. Infiltration Devices - 766kb PDF |
| 6. Paving - 574kb PDF |
| 7. Landscape Stormwater Measures - 863kb PDF |
| 8. Water Efficient Landscape Practices - 978kb PDF |
| 9. Wastewater Reuse - 464kb PDF |
| 10. Groundwater - 444kb PDF |
| 11. Site Discharge Index - 1Mb PDF |
Water Sensitive Planning Guide and Practice Notes (wsud.org)
This website from WSUD.org provides detailed information and guidelines on how to plan and design elements of a site to reduce overall water demand. General practice notes:
- Water Sensitive Homes (wsud.org)
- Drainage Design (wsud.org)
- Design and Assessment (wsud.org)
- Compliance Mechanisms (wsud.org)
- other practice notes (wsud.org)
Tools and Resources for Water Senstive Urban Design in SE Qld (Healthy Waterways)
A factsheet that links to a range of resources and tools for WSUD in SEQ, organised by the four stages of urban development:
1. Concept planning and preliminary lot layout,
2. Final lot layout and conceptual design
3. Detailed design
4. Construction, operation and maintenance
Managing urban stormwater: harvesting and reuse (NSW DEC, April 2006) (pdf)
Prepared by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, these guidelines are directed at local councils, water managers, developers and planners. They overview the statutory requirements, planning, design, risk management, operational considerations for stormwater harvesting and reuse in NSW. They provide a useful 'generic' risk assessment framework, based on emerging National Water Quality guidelines. The document includes 13 stormwater harvesting and reuse case studies. It compiles some information on maintenance and treatment costs.
Water sensitive urban design solutions for catchments above wetlands - overview and approach (Aust.)
Devices and practices
Treatment Devices for Water Sensitive Urban Design (Melbourne Water)
This is a comprehensive site which details the various types of stormwater treatment devices and provides guidance on appropriate selection, design and costing.
Source controls |
Water conservation |
Stormwater Reuse |
Redirecting Flow |
Reducing flows |
Water quality treatment |
Construction sites |
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Device and Practice Selection
Ecological Contexts (Urbanwater.info)
Ecological Functions of Devices and Practices (Urbanwater.info)
Device and Practice Selection Guidelines (Urbanwater.info)
Case Studies
The South East Queensland Healthy Waterways program's demonstration sites register.
The WSUD in Melbourne program's case studies register.
Subdivision or Subcatchment
- Port Stephen's (NSW) Fern Bay Seaside Village - residential greenfield
- Port Stephen's (NSW) Kinross Business Park - industrial greenfield
- Port Stephen's (NSW) Wahgunyah Road, Nelson Bay - residential retrofit
- Port Stephen's (NSW) Worimi Drive, Salamander Bay - residential greenfield
Kogarah Town Centre Redevelopment (sustainability overview)
This project has won a number of awards for its sustainability. A key focus of the sustainable design was the use and reuse of water and stormwater in this built up urban centre. The fact sheets link provides more detailed information on concepts and design. (Kogarah City Council).
Kogarah Town Centre - Water Fact Sheet (pdf)
A good example of planning a reuse water network is shown on page 2 (Kogarah Council, NSW)
The WSUD.org website has an extensive literature and information exchange page; including links to other Australian WSUD Case Studies.
Landcom water and WSUD case studies including concepts for:
- The Masterplan for Warnervale Town Centre, a retail centre north of Gosford, NSW, which explores: bioretention and natural waterway restoration;
- Willoughby Market Gardens, an urban renewal project in northern Sydney that seeks to integrate road, open space and lot layout to provide good outcomes for water management and urban amenity.
- Second Ponds Creek, a large scale 390ha urban development planned within an environment of high salinity hazard.
- Water Cycle management at Victoria Park, Sydney.
- Wetlands design at Chullora Technology Park, Sydney, which seeks to transform a contaminated and neglected wasteland into an industrial facility while ensuring that WSUD principles were adopted and the overall environmental values of the site were protected.
Site or Building
Green Roofs Australia
A not-for-profit organisation that draws together the various governmental, organisational and businesses groups and individuals interested in being kept informed about green roof science, technology, practice, regulations and specifications. The group promotes green roofs as an effective response to climate change and city heat island effects, and to reduce buildings’ carbon footprints.
Michael Mobbs House (html)
This inner Sydney home was remodelled to incorporate the best in sustainable design including achieving a high level of water efficiency. The house is open at certain times for guided tours. The website contains links to other websites of interest (sustainablehouse.com.au)
Successful Green Buildings in Australia (html)
A range of commerical, residential and public buildings can be accessed from this site, with details on concepts, designs and difficulties in implementation (Australian Conservation Foundation)
60L Building in Melbourne (html)
This award winning design has achieved very high environmental sustainability while maintaining a standard commercial budget. It is home to the Australian Conservation Foundation offices.The website provides details of all aspects of site design including water, energy, materials as well as improved internal environmental management procedures and controls (60L website)
The Green Building Council of Australia including a link to a best practice guide for water conservation in commercial office buildings and shopping centres, published by Sydney Water's Every Drop Counts program.
We suggest exploring your uneases about water sensitive urban design approaches ... This is an evolving area of practice. What works ecologically is still being discovered, and each place needs its own solution.
This is a practical application of 'listening to ourselves' - allowing our tacit, implicit, knowledge ... our 'feel' for what is going on to inform what we do ... As Polanyi, Gendlin and others have underlined, we each know more than it is easy to say.
For more on how to 'use gut feel skillfully', see Listening to ourselves.
What aquatic ecosystems are downstream? What places will your urban development affect? |
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What does a water sensitive urban design strategy need to achieve to sustain local ecosystems? |
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Is a particular water sensitive urban design approach consistent with local and regional water management plans (e.g. in NSW)? |
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Who wins and who loses with different water sensitive urban design approaches? |
