Stormwater

Regional stormwater solutions

The purpose of this work-stream is identify and develop methods to protect the region's streams, estuaries and harbours from stormwater pollution.

This involves a 2 step approach:

1. Understand the quantity and quality problems of stormwater
2. Find the solutions via source control, detention of stormwater, and stormwater treatment

Step 1: Understand the quantity and quality problems of stormwater

Stormwater quantity - the work programme for this area includes:

• quantifying flooding, stream channel erosion and sediment transport (and how these are altered by urban development).

Stormwater quality - the work programme for this area includes:

• identify and quantify sources of chemical contaminants arising from urban activities
• improve the cost-effectiveness of existing stormwater treatment practices
• evaluate innovative processes for removing chemical contaminants from stormwater
• understand and model the processes involved in the transfer of chemical contaminants from their sources in urban developments into aquatic receiving environments
• improve the understanding of the cause-effects links between stormwater chemical contaminants and effects on life in stream estuaries and harbours.

Step 2: Find the solutions via source control and stormwater treatment

The work programme for this area includes:

• research and computations to quantify flows through treatment devices.

Reducing stormwater affects with low impact design

The Low Impact Design (LID) approach is another stormwater management tool for reducing the adverse impacts of stormwater runoff.

Sediment control and stormwater management are integrated into the design of subdivisions, individual lots and the streetscape to minimise and mitigate the adverse effect of stormwater. The methods can be simple and effective. The primary purpose of the Low Impact Design Manual - TP124, is to present an alternative approach to site design and development, primarily for residential land development.

Urban development stormwater solutions:

• The ARC has developed a presentation to illustrate how Low Impact Design can be applied as a stormwater management solution to urban development projects.
• The presentation can be adapted for your own purposes. You can change text and add your own images. If you would like to receive a CD containing the adaptable PowerPoint of Breathing Space please contact storm@arc.govt.nz.