The CRCWSC released two publications in August, from our project C4.1 Integrated multi-functional urban water systems:

Here’s a taste of what our researchers share in these publications.

Integrated multi-functional urban water systems: key findings from C4.1

This project aimed to deliver hybrid systems that can treat multiple water sources within urban landscapes. To do so, we looked at further optimising stormwater biofiltration technology and wetland systems, and developing new technologies.

The project had two key outcomes—technology delivery and the development of adoption guidelines—from the following objectives:

  1. To understand and optimise wetland systems for the treatment of urban stormwater to support protection of waterways, with the Coastal Plains of Western Australia as a case study
  2. To optimise stormwater biofilters for treatment of (partially treated) wastewater and/or polluted groundwater
  3. To develop hybrid biofilters that can treat wastewater and/or polluted groundwater during dry weather, and capture and treat stormwater during wet weather and deliver improvements
  4. To develop adoption guidelines for this new generation of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) systems.

As a multi-functional system, green water treatment infrastructure has additional aesthetic, amenity and microclimate benefits that are critical to its adoption. This project aimed to enhance these attributes by incorporating climbing plant species within biofiltration systems, to create ‘living walls’. As part of this work, we tested the performance of ornamental plant species, and the development of green walls for greywater treatment.

Adoption guidelines for green treatment technologies

To increase the resilience and liveability of cities, and to maintain their productivity, green infrastructure is viewed as a sustainable development strategy. Green infrastructure or technologies represent a set of engineered elements that provide multiple ecosystem services at building and urban scales. They aim to integrate local water management with urban greening.

The CRCWSC guidelines advise on how to design, operate and maintain green wall and façade systems to maximise their water treatment benefits. The aim is for these walls to ultimately increase the sustainability and liveability of cities.

The guidelines focus on:

  • living walls that are used to treat greywater and/or stormwater
  • the biophysical aspects of living walls (not the design of the structural elements).
Schematic of different green and living wall designs: (a) direct living wall (façade); (b) indirect living wall (façade) with plants grown from an underground trench; (c) indirect living wall (façade) with plants grown from a planter box; (d) green wall
Last updated: 14th Aug 2018