On-site stormwater detention: improved implementation techniques for runoff quantity and quality management in Sydney

On-site stormwater detention has become well established in Sydney and several thousand systems are now in place. Mistakes have been made because education and training, design and installation skills and supporting technology have not kept pace with the concepts. Much has been learned from the problems, however, and the development industry has now come to accept that new ways of dealing with stormwater runoff are here to stay. The result is that techniques are emerging which will make future OSD systems more effective, easier to maintain, less obtrusive, more attractive to owners and occupiers and less expensive. The paper describes some of the systems which are being used to improve discharge control, storage efficiency, harmonious site integration and effluent quality while, at the same time, reducing cost.