Subdivision design for a sustainable future What’s included in this fact sheet: Integrated Water Management This fact sheet explains how all aspects of the water cycle, including reduced water consumption, beneficial use of recycled and stormwater and water sensitive design can be integrated and collaboratively managed in subdivisions. Integrated Water Management (IWM) is a collaborative approach to the way we plan for and manage all elements of the water cycle. This includes managing and protecting the health of waterways, wastewater management, alternative and potable water supply and stormwater management. With a growing population, the demands on our water resources are continuing to increase. Seeking and making use of alternative water sources to support reducing the overall demand for water resources is therefore critical to ensure that we don’t run out of water. With the climate getting hotter and drier it is expected that flows into water storage will continue to decrease. Water authorities are showing worst case scenarios that indicate that there could be significant water shortages as soon as 2028, due to increasing demand and decreasing water flows. Investing in recycled water initiatives and harvesting more stormwater for irrigation and other fit-for-purpose uses is critical to ensuring the future water security. Along with water efficiency initiatives in the subdivision design process, demand on potable water can be reduced to support long term water efficiency outcomes. Why do subdivisions need to consider integrated water solutions? Benefits of integrated water solutions in subdivision design What considerations support effective integrated water management? • Water efficiency • Fit-for-purpose water • Optimised stormwater management Where can I find out more? Benefits of integrated water solutions in subdivision design Why do subdivisions need to consider integrated water solutions? Sustainable Subdivisions Framework 7 Key Sustainable Subdivision Categories 5.0 Developers can take advantage of: • Enhanced market appeal of the subdivision to prospective purchasers • Demonstrating best practice integrated water management and creating climate resilient neighbourhoods • Reduced land requirements for stormwater management A new resident can expect: • Lower water bills due access to recycled water options • Improved resilience to drought • A greener urban environment • Future proofing of building and community assets
Transcript
Subdivision design for a sustainable future
What’s included in this fact sheet:
Integrated Water Management
This fact sheet explains how all aspects of the water cycle, including reduced water consumption, beneficial use of recycled and stormwater and water sensitive design can be integrated and collaboratively managed in subdivisions.
Integrated Water Management (IWM) is a collaborative approach to the way we plan for and manage all elements of the water cycle. This includes managing and protecting the health of waterways, wastewater management, alternative and potable water supply and stormwater management.
With a growing population, the demands on our water resources are continuing to increase. Seeking and making use of alternative water sources to support reducing the overall demand for water resources is therefore critical to ensure that we don’t run out of water.
With the climate getting hotter and drier it is expected that flows into water storage will continue to decrease. Water authorities are showing worst case scenarios that indicate that there could be significant water shortages as soon as 2028, due to increasing demand and decreasing water flows.
Investing in recycled water initiatives and harvesting more stormwater for irrigation and other fit-for-purpose uses is critical to ensuring the future water security. Along with water efficiency initiatives in the subdivision design process, demand on potable water can be reduced to support long term water efficiency outcomes.
Why do subdivisions need to consider integrated water solutions?
Benefits of integrated water solutions in subdivision design
What considerations support effective integrated water management?
• Water efficiency • Fit-for-purpose water• Optimised stormwater management
Where can I find out more?
Benefits of integrated water solutions in subdivision design
Why do subdivisions need to consider integrated water solutions?
Developers can take advantage of:• Enhanced market appeal of the
subdivision to prospective purchasers• Demonstrating best practice integrated
water management and creating climate resilient neighbourhoods
• Reduced land requirements for stormwater management
A new resident can expect:• Lower water bills due access to recycled
water options• Improved resilience to drought• A greener urban environment • Future proofing of building and community
assets
Where can I find out more?
In the subdivision design process there are opportunities to influence potable water demand in both the public and private realm.
The water efficiency objective is:• To reduce water consumption through
environmentally sustainable subdivision and building design
Demand for potable water can be reduced by incorporating passive irrigation opportunities. This could include celebrating water in the landscape in preference to grey infrastructure (i.e. pipes).
In the private realm, design guidelines can require specific water efficiency measures. This includes target setting for reduced potable water consumption per lot / person.
Other Fact Sheets in this series are also available to provide guidance on the 7 Sustainable Subdivision Categories. For further information on IWM, see the Fact Sheets entitled:• Ecology• Urban Heat
Sustainable Buildings Fact Sheetsimap.vic.gov.au
Rating ToolsGreen Star Communitieswww.gbca.org.auEnviroDevelopment: www.envirodevelopment.com.au
Sustainable Infrastructure GuidelinesProvides alternative design and construction initiatives to achieve greater sustainability outcomeswww.designmanual.com.au
DISCLAIMER: This Fact Sheet has been created for general information purposes only. While the Fact Sheet has been created with all due care, no warranty is given as to its suitability for any particular purpose and users should obtain their own advice relevant to their situation and specific needs. This Fact Sheet has been created with thanks to IMAP who have developed the Fact Sheet series for the SDAPP (Buildings) Framework.
Water efficiency
Effective Integrated Water Management in Subdivisions
The subdivision design process provides significant opportunities to incorporate alternative water as there are less constraints around incorporating the required infrastructure early in the process.
There are also opportunities to reduce demand for potable water by introducing a non-mains source such as third pipe or stormwater harvesting.
Fit-for-purpose water objectives include:• To provide lots with areas and dimensions
that enable the appropriate siting and construction of a dwelling that can be serviced with water, wastewater and other essential services.
• To maximise use of alternative water sources for public and private use (through strategies such as public and private rainwater tanks, stormwater reuse and localised recycled water systems)
• To provide a waste water system that is adequate for the maintenance of public health and the management of effluent in an environmentally friendly manner
Fit-for-purpose water
Stormwater management helps reduce the harm water can cause to our rivers and creeks when it contains chemicals and pollutants. It also provides opportunities to optimise water flows to create passive irrigation opportunities.
Optimised stormwater management objectives include:• To incorporate water sensitive urban
design techniques into development including enhancing riparian vegetation (waterway health), drainage reserves adjacent to wetlands and protection of biodiversity and landscape features for improved amenity
• To ensure the location and scale of open space responds to existing drainage channels
• To meet the Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines for Urban Stormwater
• To control localised flooding and plan for increasingly intense rainfall events, as projected by climate change models
• To use water as a tool for reducing urban heat
Optimised stormwater management
Effective integrated water management in subdivisions will support regional integrated water management solutions such as priorities identified through the IWM forums. These result in reduced demand, increased use of recycled water and water sensitive urban design outcomes.
