Urban stormwater harvesting
Urban stormwater is rainwater that runs off urban surfaces such as roofs, pavements, car parks, roads, gardens, parks and forests. Much stormwater flows into stormwater drains, creeks and rivers. Stormwater also forms part of the fresh water that flows to estuaries and the coastal ocean which is important for maintaining the healthy ecological function of those systems, including the many fish species and associated recreational and commercial fishing activities.
The volume of stormwater runoff from a city is often greater than its entire combined household water use. Urban stormwater harvesting and re-use can augment the normal water supply for urban communities.
Common uses of harvested stormwater include the irrigation of parks and gardens, ovals and golf courses and other municipal and commercial purposes. Harvested stormwater can also be used to replenish groundwater supplies and recharging aquifers for later use.
Harvesting stormwater involves collecting, storing and treating the water before it is distributed.
More information
Government programs
- The National Urban Water and Desalination Plan the Australian Government provides funding for desalination, water recycling and stormwater harvesting projects to assist major towns and cities in securing their long term water supply.
- Stormwater harvesting and reuse projects funding
- National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
Projects
- Metropolitan Adelaide stormwater reuse project
- Waterproofing Northern Adelaide
- Water proofing the South, Adelaide
- Chatswood CBD and Civic Integrated water Management
- Canberra Integrated Urban Waterways
- Restoration of the Groundwater Aquifer on the Cottesloe Peninsula
Publications
- Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 2): Managed Aquifer Recharge - 2009
- Introduction to Urban Stormwater Management in Australia - 2002
- Wastewater and Stormwater Management - 1997
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