AVBP 287 PRODUCE AN ENGINEERING

DESIGN FOR A STORMWATER

RETICULATION SCHEME
Compiled By Civil Team
Swinburne University of Technology

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Environmental

engineering
Geotechnical engineering
Structural engineering
Water engineering
Transport engineering
Construction engineering

STORMWATER
Stormwater ( surface runoff) is the second major urban
flow of concern to the drainage engineer.
Stormwater is generated by rainfall, and consists of
that proportion of rainfall that runs off from urban
surface.
The properties of stormwater are the nature and
characteristics of both the rainfall and the catchment.

STORMWATER RUNOFF GENERATION

PROCESSES

STORMWATER POLLUTION

Impervious surfaces (parking lots, roads, buildings, ect) do not

allow rain to infiltrate into the ground, more runoff is
generated than in the undeveloped condition.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT URBAN

STORMWATER POLLUTION?
The most effective way to reduce stormwater pollution
is to stop it entering the system in the first place.
Tips to prevent stormwater pollution:
Washing your car
Fixing your car
Composting
Put litter in a bin
Paint brush cleaning
Cleaning the footpath
Pick up dog droppings
Avoid using weed killers close to rain period or in
wind
Landscape using native plants

STORMWATER SYSTEM
The stormwater system is designed to take rainwater
from streets and guttering into the closest waterway
Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated before it
enters waterway
In some cases it is filtered by traps or wetlands,
usually located at the end of the pipe system, but in
most cases it flows directly from streets and gutters
into creeks, rivers, bays and the ocean.

Rain , a form of precipitation, is the first form of

water in the hydrologic cycle, the continuous
circulation of water in the earth-atmosphere
system.
Rain is the primary source of water that feeds
rivers, lakes, and groundwater, which are all
secondary sources of water.
Rainwater catchment directly responds to the
value of this primary source of water, making
optimal use of rainwater where it falls.

Rain scupper on a
building

Water tank

ROOF CATCHMENT

RAINWATER

Rainwater is a valuable natural resource that can be

collected for household use.
Using rainwater can reduce your water bills
Provide a supply of restriction free water
Reduce community infrastructure costs

ADVANTAGES
Rainwater can aid self-sufficiency, providing a
back-up in case of water restrictions.
On rural properties, rainwater can provide a
better quality potable supply than river, bore or
dam water.
Rainwater tanks can also provide cost-effective
on-site detention of stormwater.
Depending on tank size and climate, reticulated
water use can be reduced by 50% in urban areas.

DISADVANTAGE

In areas with reticulated water supply the main

disadvantage of installing a rainwater is the
financial cost.

The rainwater tank will cost minimum of $500 for a small

400L tank to around $8000 for a 100,000L tank.

The regular maintenance, such as checking and

cleaning gutters.

Health risks can arise if maintenance is not carried out.

Reliability

Small tanks may not have sufficient water available in midsummer.

WATER TANK

If you drink your rainwater it is recommended that you install a filter.

RAINWATER SYSTEM
CONFIGURATIONS

Gravity fed system

with pump (can be
solar)

RAINWATER SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

Dry system

RAINWATER SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

Wet system

RAINWATER SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

Gutter storage systems
Gutter storage systems
are best suited to new
houses, as the cost of
the gutters can be
offset by savings in
building materials.
The system is designed
to gravity feed nonpotable water for toilet
flushing and garden
watering.