Urban Water Infrastructure Planning

Area 14 Urban Release Area, Port Macquarie Hastings Council

Area 14 is a proposed beachside community just south of Port Macquarie. Council wanted to optimise the cost effectiveness and sustainability of water infrastructure for this greenfield development.  They engaged STORM to undertake integrated economic and environmental scenario modelling to determine least cost infrastructure that would deliver real environmental benefits.  STORM assessed scenarios of wastewater recycling and stormwater harvesting and compared end-of-pipe wetland approaches with decentralised Water Sensitive Urban Design measures.  STORM was able to recommend to Council each of the following: rainwater tanks for hot water and laundry, recycled wastewater for garden and toilets, and Water Sensitive swales, bioretention and filter strips for water quality management.  The outcomes include 85% conservation of mains water compared to a typical house.