A solution for a healthier environment
Enhance water sustainability by improving stormwater quality in legacy areas and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.
Client
ACT Government
Timeline
2022 - 2024
Key figures.
9,600m2treatment area total including
1.27million litres of storage
for subsequent treatment
AU$4 MConstruction Budget
The challenge.
Imagine.
Pioneering Subsurface Wetlands in Australia
As part of the water quality treatment train, Egis designed the first subsurface wetland in the ACT, forming a trial site for the government to assess how urban runoff is treated in the future.
Traditionally used internationally for wastewater treatment, no examples were identified of subsurface wetlands being applied to stormwater in Australia, nor were there any local design standards. Egis worked with Australian experts, government officials and the community to adapt global standards to Australian conditions, pioneering a sustainable approach to urban water management.
Create.
Egis was previously engaged under the initial ACT Healthy Waterways project several years ago to design and deliver multiple water sensitive urban design (WSUD) elements across the ACT. Our engagement under ACT Healthy Waterways 2.0 also included multiples sites with the Belconnen project being our largest.
The Water team worked alongside the local Urban Development team to establish key project controls and develop high-level concept designs. Following engagement with the nearby community and project sustainability review, Egis' moved into a preliminary design for approval by the ACT government. The teams progressed into detailed design for the project. Additionally, the Urban Development team provided construction costing and project management support. Throughout construction te team also provided construction supervision and support.
Achieve.
Through the development of the proposed treatment system, we were able to demonstrate a reduction of the following:
- Suspended solids such as soils (TSS) reduced by 35%
- Phosphorus (TP) was reduced by up to 25%
- Nitrogen (TN) was reduced by 20%
- Gross pollutants (such as litter) was reduced by 47%
These reduced were considered significant given they applied to a significant catchment area (343 hectares).
