Flood Prevention and its Nexus to Water

Resource Management
Invest in Arup Research

Liyana Che Ismail

April 2023
Water Challenges in Malaysia
Increased Competition for Water

• The growth in population and GDP has resulted in heavy demand for
water. The problem of population growth is particularly felt in the urban
areas, due to rural-urban migration and growing urbanisation.

• The increased demand for the limited and diminishing supply of clean
water available has led to competition among the various water users, a
competition the continued economic growth exacerbates.
Water Pollution

• Government is stretched to provide adequate infrastructure and service

needed including waste management treatment for better living. This
state of affairs raises problems of water and air pollution, public health
and urban environmental degradation.

• This increases the cost of treating polluted water and reduces the overall
water availability.
Low Efficiency of Water Use

• Efficiency of water use in general is low.

• Irrigation efficiency is in the range of 40 to 50 percent, because almost all

of the irrigation systems are open systems designed to take advantage of
flooding. As irrigation water is charged on a per-area basis rather than on
volume used and is relatively cheap, there is little incentive for farmers to
use the water efficiently.

• There is a high proportion of unaccounted-for water in urban water

supply systems, as one quarter to one third of the domestic and industrial
water is lost before it reaches the consumers. These losses are the result
of leaks in the distribution systems and illegal connections.
Governance Issues

• There is no single agency in the country entrusted with the overall responsibility
of holistic planning and management of water causing conflicts in water
resources management such as allocation of water rights, flood management,
pollution control, environmental protection, etc

• Lack of political will to move towards truly sustainable water services &
management.
Flooding and Climate Change

• Malaysia also faces significant flood problems, with the frequency and
extremity of flood events having increased in recent decades. The
intensity of tropical storms in South-East Asia is also projected to
increase due to climate change.

• Although floods are natural phenomena arising from excessive rainfall

overwhelming existing waterways for decades, uncontrolled development
activities in watershed areas and along river corridors can increase the
severity of floods.
Managing Floods:
Stormwater is a resource, not waste
The capture, treatment and recharge of urban runoff
can help to meet the evergrowing water demand and
provide alternative water supply.
Case Studies Around the World

16
Case studies

Cities face unique challenges

and there is no one-size fits all
solution to water related issue.
There are various of ways to
further extend the benefit of
flood mitigation solution with
water harvesting solutions that
be drawn and adapted from all
case studies.
Australia
Birrarung Mar Stormwater Harvesting
Melbourne, Victoria

This project was implemented by the City of Melbourne to construct a

stormwater harvesting system simultaneously enhancing the public
landscape of the Birrarung Marr. This 8.3 hectare park was a rail yard and
transformed into parkland which is located on the northern bank of the
Yarra River, next to Federation Square. The park links the city centre,
Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Melbourne Park sporting precinct
especially for pedestrians. The stormwater harvesting system plays an
important role in treating polluted stormwater runoff before entering the
river and reduced pollutant levels in the water runoff.
Project Outcome:
• The final irrigation water is disinfected with UV method and provide
as much as 35 million litres of potable water offset per annum.
• act as reliable alternative water source for irration

© Melbourne City Council

Birrarung Mar Stormwater Harvesting
Solution System
Birrarung Mar Stormwater Harvesting
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk Additional Benefit

• To make sure design is cohesive with the surrounding
open space landscape that also dubs as event space
• Soil stability around the tank area to avoid any
concurrent damage to the surrounding rail and road
infrastructure
• Improve character and liveability of the area
• Aesthetically pleasing and functioning park for the
community
• New attraction of Melbourne CBD
Green Square Stormwater Drain (GSSD)
Sydney, New South Wales

The project is a collaboration between City of Sydney and Sydney Water to reduce the
flood hazard in a heavy built-up area, improve water quality level, and reduce potable
water usage within the Green Square precinct.
The project includes the construction of new stormwater drainage infrastructure, such
as underground pipes and channels, as well as the creation of new parkland and open
spaces.
One of the key components of the project is the use of a "stormwater harvesting"
system, which captures and treats stormwater runoff from the streets and buildings in
the area. This captured water is reused for irrigation and other non-potable uses,
reducing the demand on the city's water supply.
Project Outcome:
• Drastically reduced the threat of high-level floods in the area. Significant flood
depth was reduced from 2.0m to 0.3m especially at Botany Road Interchange.
• Up to 320 million litres of water annually is recycled for non-potable use (900
kL per day)
• lessen the polluted water discharge to stormwater and downstream towards the
Cooks River

© Seymour White
Green Square Stormwater Drain (GSSD)
Solution System
Green Square Stormwater Drain (GSSD)
Suitability Consideration

Environmental Technical Cost

• Flood risk evaluation • Hydraulic modelling Construction method where micro

tunnelling is proven to be cost-
• Topography of the site • Capacity of Gross pollutant trap effective especially in major urban
areas while avoiding existing road
• Geological feature • Site restriction; the crossing and potential infrastructure

• Design solution and construction

• Groundwater process

• Existing underground utilities

Green Square Stormwater Drain (GSSD)
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk Additional Benefit

• Construction faces issues due to current condition of site
being located within flood plain with network of
swamps, wetlands and creeks
• To ensure system is of 100 years design life
• Ground engineering challenges including existing
foundations and tunnels, underground utilities,
boreholes, presence of wells, contamination & waste,etc
• integrates shared pedestrian and cycle pathways
between Maddox Street & Alexandra Canal
• minimum impacts on existing roads, infrastructures and
buildings with no open cut excavations in town centre
• minimal environmental impacts as there were less
dredge spoils and dewatering

• Integration of new tunnel with existing drainage system • existing community experienced less construction
disturbances
• Risk of ground movement to multiple assets and utilities
surrounding the area
Asia
The Sponge City Concept
China

After enduring rapid urbanisation, poor water management, high levels of water
pollution and frequent drought and flooding, the Chinese government had
launched sponge city construction program in 2015 to reduce the severity of
water and environmental problems with 30 pilot sponge cities to alleviate water
quality and urban pluvial flooding issues.
A sponge city promotes sustainable urban development through flood control,
water conservation, quality improvement, and ecosystem protection. Instead of
relying on grey infrastructure, it absorbs and stores water during high rainfall
and releases it during droughts. It envisions a water system that operates like a
sponge, purifying and reusing rainwater. Natural and semi-natural measures
manage stormwater, wastewater, and other water cycles.
Project Outcome:

• Retain 70–90% of average annual rainwater onsite by applying the green

infrastructure concept and using LID measures.
• The recycled water will irrigate gardens and farms and refill aquifers; when
treated correctly, it can be used in homes for flushing toilets or drinking.
• Eliminating water logging and preventing urban flooding, improving urban
water quality, mitigating impacts on natural eco-systems, and alleviating
urban heat island impacts

©The Guardian
The Sponge City Concept
Solution System

Green roof

Rainwater run off to

wetlands, lakes and for
Permeable road and irrigation
street surfaces

Water recyling
facility Water storage and
purification systems
The Sponge City Concept
Suitability Consideration

Environmental Technical Cost

• Geographical location – depending • Macroscopic hydrological level – • Conventional drainage system likely
on the characteristic of the land detailed water security pattern analysis, needs to be omitted and slowly replaced
and climate forest / wetland cover in locations that prone to flooding

• City level analysis - analysis of

• Soil condition – check for poorly precipitation, catchment, collection of
drained soil / high groundwater water, water storage, distribution or
table control

• Weather • Block level – technology considered for

the infrastructure

• Architecture level - technology

considered for the solution
The Sponge City Concept
Challenges | Additional Benefits
Challenges / Risk
• Research foundation for sponge city construction on
such a large scale is rather weak.
• Complete local, provincial and national guidance,
design standards and codes are not available.
• Insufficient performance data.
• Land scarcity in urban area - Sponge city practices,
which allow stormwater to infiltrate into the ground or
be stored on-site, may require additional land space.
• Unaddressed operation and maintenance difficulties.
• May inflict landscaping maintenance from time to time.
Additional Benefit
Environmental:
• Reduces carbon footprint.
• Enhances biodiversity from the increased variety of
floral species.
• Reduces effects of climate change.
Economic:
• Leads to development of tourism industry.
• Can be cost-effective in the long run.
Social:
• Improves health and well-being of public.
• Enhances the aesthetic values of cities.
Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park
Bangkok, Thailand

Opened in 2017, Chulalongkorn Centenary Park is the first critical piece

of green infrastructure in Bangkok to mitigate detrimental ecological
issues and disaster risk reduction. Unlike other public parks around the
city, this one is the first in Thailand to demonstrate how a park can help
reduce urban flood risks and help city confronts climate change, all while
offering city dwellers a place to reconnect with nature.
Designed with various ecological design components, the park reminds
the city of ways to live with water, rather than fear it. A flood-proof park
for a flood-prone city.By harnessing the power of gravity, the park can
sustainably collect, treat and hold water to reduce urban flood risks in its
surrounding areas.
Project Outcome:
• The park retention capacity takes into account five-, 50-, and 100-year
floods
• Retention of up to 250,000 gallons of runoff water from the green roof
and 105,000 gallons of water collected at the lawn
• Water from the retention pond is applied in the irrigation system for
lower areas of the park.

© Landezine
Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park
Solution System
Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park
Suitability Consideration

Environmental Technical Cost

• Topographical feature of the area
• Climate and rainfall data
• Future flood projection
• Inclination degree of rootop and
capacity of storage
• Water filtration / treatment system;
green rood, rainwater tank, constructed
wetlands, detention lawn and retention
pond
• Upfront cost: land estimated worth of
USD 700 million
• Construction cost: USD 45 million
• Other cost: Services and maintenance

• Selection of trees and plants; forest

trees, nat

• Architecture level - technology

considered for the solution
Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk Additional Benefit

• Potential unaddressed operation and maintenance Environmental:

difficulties.
• Complete local, provincial and national guidance,
design standards and codes are not available.
• Enhances biodiversity, park becomes habitat ground for
flora fauna
• Reduces effects of climate change, UHI
Economic:
• Add values to the surrounding real estate
• Boost economic activities
• Leads to development of tourism industry.
Social:
• Extra open spaces for students and community
• Communal space like this park build a better sense of
unity
• Promote active lifestyle, thus improve general health of
the community
Source – Pathway – Receptor System
Singapore

Singapore received a wake-up call when its legacy stormwater

infrastructure was overwhelmed by a short period of intense rain in one
day in 2011 that flooded its central shopping precinct, Orchard Road. The
solution that was put in place was somewhat similar to what was done in
Hong Kong. Ng Joo Hee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Public
Utilities Board, now known as PUB, referred to it as the “source-pathway-
receptor” approach.
The upstream areas would have built in ‘run-off’ areas (the source) which
might include detention tanks or rain gardens and bioretention swales,
which are landscape systems designed to partially treat water quality. The
pathways were the drains and canals which were enlarged to
accommodate increased water intensity. The receptor areas might be built
higher to withstand rising stormwater levels, or have flood barriers
designed in. Much of the stormwater is then harvested for freshwater
consumption.

© Singapore National Water Agency

Source – Pathway – Receptor System
Solution System

9
Source – Pathway – Receptor System
Suitability Consideration
Environmental
• Land / space availability for the
stormwater detention element
• Topography determines how runoff
travel
• Flood risk evaluation
Technical
• Source solution: Site obstructions
including underground infrastructure
• Pathway solution: Size of conveyance
system to cater flows with catchment
• Receptor solution: minimum platform
levels and minimum crest level, the
required minimum ground level of
proposed development
Cost
• Source solution: to be monitored on
regular basis, drainage must be clear of
blockage
• Receptor solution: regular check on
receptor solutions to ensure operational
effectiveness during potential flood
situation.
Source – Pathway – Receptor System
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk / Hazard Additional Benefit

• Design considerations: Areas designed to be accessed Environmental:
directly by users that have water body may create • reduce incidences of flash floods and water pollution
potential injuries / Drowning hazard during extreme simultaneously
storm events.
Economic:
• iDesign considerations: Water edges that are hard to • resourceful upcycling of the otherwise wasted
discern at night / Park users may inadvertently wander stormwater
or fall into the water during or just after the rainfall
events Social:
• present recreational and educational opportunities
• Operations & Maintenance: Stagnant water that could • Promote active lifestyle, thus improve general health of
possibly be a mosquito breeding site / Risk of mosquito the community
related diseases
• Operations & Maintenance: Interim detention facilities
where people are encouraged to enter and play in / Poor
water quality affecting public health
Star City, Gwanjin District
Seoul, Korea

Regenerated from an aging baseball stadium, SC (Star City) consists of

two complex parts of commercial facilities and residential facilities.The
commercial area is divided into two parts, ‘Star Zone’ and ‘City Zone’,
connected by internal bridges.
The rainwater harvesting (RWH) system was introduced as part of urban
water management for large scale residential and complex like Star City.
Several innovative concepts such as a multipurpose system, proactive
management of flooding, and the city government’s incentive program for
the developer have been applied in implementing the RWH system.
Project Outcome:
• expected the water conservation to be approximately 40,000 m3 per
year, ~ 67% of the annual amount of rainfall collected
• Residents save in water in water bill, ~ USD 80,000 year
• Reduce risk of local flooding and increasing Eco-efficiency

© Singapore National Water Agency

• supplementary system to existing water infrastructure to cope with
extreme rainfall events
• A diplomatic water management solution where all stakeholders win.
Star City, Gwanjin District
Solution System

Building

Recycled water usage

Rain water Green spaces Filter Irrigation

Ground
Drain water
Tap water
Filter Water
supply

For flood control For water saving For emergency

Star City, Gwanjin District
Suitability Consideration

Environmental Technical Cost

• Annual rainfall, and future rainfall
prediction
• Tank volume designed for the
catchment
• The construction cost for the rainwater
harvest system was approximately US$
450,000, about one third of the average
real estate price of an apartment unit at
Star City today
Star City, Gwanjin District
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk / Hazard Additional Benefit

• Traditional centralized stormwater management system Environmental:
• Reduce carbon footprint; less energy consumed for
• Insufficient precedent and performance data logistics of water treatment
• Additional private expenditure – local government Economic:
provide incentives to developer for adopting rainwater • Prospects of increased real estate value due to
harvesting system: permit to add 3% of allowable floor favourable publicity of low maintenance fee with RHS
spaces. installed
• misconception of rainwater is contaminated with
harmful substances from the atmosphere and that it
cannot be used without treatment.
Bio-Ecological Drainage System
Hospital Tanjung Rambutan
Taiping Health Clinic
Universiti Sains Malaysia

Bio-Ecological drainage system is an example of an innovative

sustainable urban drainage system suggested in MSMA that designed to
restore the natural environments. The systems combine three engineering
techniques to manage storm water based on the control at source strategy,
notably known as infiltration, storage conveyance and treatments by
integrating the drainage components which consist of eco-aesthetic
swales, sub-surface drainage and dry ponds with ecological wet ponds
components. In combination, this increase runoff lags time, increase the
opportunity for pollutant removal through settling and bio filtration and
reduce the rate and volume of runoff through enhanced infiltration
opportunities.
Project Outcome:
• Reduced risk of local flooding and increasing Eco interacting storm
water system and the capability to reuse the detention water

© Singapore National Water Agency

• Reduced risk of river pollution by having filtered clean water up to
standard II water quality
• Innovative approach to secure water for future generations through
sustainable urban drainage designs
Bio-Ecological Drainage System
Solution System

Bio-retention swale

Dry pond

Wet pond

Detention pond

Wetland / wading river

Recreational pond

River Kerian
Bio-Ecological Drainage System
Suitability Consideration
Environmental
• area with large amount of sandy
soil is highly recommended.
• clay area would require removal of
topsoil and replaced with suitable
backfill soil material that has high
water penetration rate
Technical
• Site obstruction; sub surface drainage
shall not be obstructed by any utilities
• Site area availability; system needs to
introduce few ponds as water retention
area to control the flow
• Longitudinal slope across site
• Period of surface water inundation,
volume capacity, surface area
• Species of plants
Cost
• Bio-ecods may have les initial capital
from conventional drainage
• Maintenance of bio-ecods system is
higher than traditional drainage system
• Involves defect sub drain will require
excavation of the module and large area
for maintenance access needs to be
considered
Bio-Ecological Drainage System
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk / Hazard Additional Benefit

• Stigma of increased cost - incur a larger cost to • reduce flow peak and flow volume; successfully create a
construct drainage facilities, due to the use of stormwater system that mimics natural condition
construction materials and drainage components such as
geosynthetic products, subsurface pipes or drains, and • recreational pond could supply sufficient water demand
control structures that are relatively new and unknown for the physical laboratory.
to many
• Cost of land usage for drainage facility (drainage
footprint) – consume more land, may reduce profit
margin of developement
Sungai Muda Basin Management
Kedah, Malaysia

Before flood mitigation plans were implemented, areas along Sungai

Muda were reported to be flooded every year with 6,000 residential and
78 km2 agricultural land were affected. The government took an initiative
through the department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to conduct a
large-scale flood prevention plan along Sungai Muda. Sungai Muda also
is well known for being the raw water supply for domestic water
treatments plan in Kedah and Penang.
The river improvements work added more storage capacity to the river
and the construction of barrage to make a reservoir that could supply raw
water to the treatment plants. Interestingly, this barrage acts as water
control which would do water retention in drought season by reducing
water flow to the sea to ensure the water supply for domestic water and
agriculture irrigation is consistent throughout the year.

© The Star
Sungai Muda Basin Management
Solution System

Sg Petani KEDAH

Kuala Muda

Railway realignment
Jambatan Merdeka

New barrage
Bunds on both sides
of the river and
river improvement

Penaga
PULAU PINANG
Sungai Muda Basin Management
Suitability Consideration

Environmental Technical Cost

• Rainfall data • Design spedicification for proposed • Cumulative initial cost is about RM 1
structures including levee protection, billion
riverbank protection works and
• Flood risk prediction
protection of bridge crossing

• Climate impact analysis

• Runoff discharge and stage records

• Long term river behaviour simulation

• Longitudinal slope across site

• Period of surface water inundation,

volume capacity, surface area

• Species of plants
Sungai Muda Basin Management
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk / Hazard Additional Benefit

• High capital cost to implement large scale flood • Larger river capacity
mitigation plans
• Secured domestic water supply
Europe
Gorla Maggiore Water Park
Lombardy Italy

Lombardy, a densely populated and industrialized region in Italy, faces

issues of flash floods and combined sewer overflows during heavy rainfall
and significant amounts of pollution get discharged into surface water
bodies as sewer capacity is exceeded.
Gorla Maggiore, a municipality of 5000 inhabitants in the Lombardy
Region, showcases a set of constructed wetlands (CWs) surrounded by a
park on the shore of the Olona River. Inaugurated in 2013, the Gorla
Maggiore water park offers a solution to manage flood risk, improve
water quality by treating the first flush of CSOs, increase biodiversity and
obtain social co-benefits.
Project Outcome:
• Demonstrate that the green infrastructure has an equally efficient or
even better technical performance than the alternative grey
infrastructure to address the area’s water purification and flood
protection needs.
• Facility removed 90% chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH4+
• Reduction of peak flow by 86% and downstream discharge of 8,900 m3

© Urban Atlas Nature

for events with a ten-year return period
Gorla Maggiore Water Park
Solution System

a recreational park with

restored riparian trees,
green open space,
walking and cycling paths

a pollutant removal area

composed of a grid, a
sedimentation tank and
four vertical sub-surface
flow (VF) constructed
wetlands

surface flow constructed Schematisation of the constructed wetland treatment plant

wetland or pond with situated in Gorla Maggiore
multiple roles, such as
pollution retention
(secondary and tertiary
treatment), buffer tank for
flood events, maintenance
of biodiversity and
recreational area
Gorla Maggiore Water Park
Suitability Consideration
Environmental
• Topography of area – allowed the
system to work mainly by gravity and
the water flow naturally
• Flood risk prediction
• Climate impact analysis
• Rainfall analysis and prediction
Technical
• Availability of flat area / land for
constructing wetlands and open water
bodies
• Runoff discharge and stage records
• Longitudinal slope across site
• Period of surface water inundation,
volume capacity, surface area
• Species of plants
Cost
• Received sponsorship from Lombardia
Regional Authority and co-funded by
Fondazione Cariplo (a private
foundation)
• Land acquisition
• Higher cost for green infrastructure
compared to grey infrastructure
Gorla Maggiore Water Park
Challenges | Additional Benefits
Challenges / Risk / Hazard
• decision to use green infrastructure as opposed to grey
infrastructure such as first flush and buffer tanks –
municipalities / governments are inclined to opt for
conventional grey infrastructure
• Lack of awareness of positive effects of nature-based
solutions
• To consider the manifold ecosystem services provided
by nature-based design from the early stages of decision
making.
Additional Benefit
• Increase conservation and restoration of the habitat and
ecosystem – reduction in biodiversity loss and greater
ecological connectivity across sites
• Reduce financial cost for urban management as the
facility doubles as flood management and park
• Lower operation cost
• Contributes to health and wellbeing of residents as they
gain space for recreation activities and exercise.
Potsdamer Platz
Berlin, Germany

Potsdamer Platz is a square in Berlin which sits on part of the former

Berlin Wall. After the wall was taken down, the redevelopment of the site
provided one of the largest building sites in Europe. Today, Potsdamer
Platz encompasses 19 buildings, 10 streets, 2 car parks, and 3
underground car parks.
During its redevelopment, the city council imposed a strict compliance of
a maximum drainage rate of 3 l/sec/ha for the site. For this specific area,
this means only 1% of water is allowed to be released during stormwater
events. To comply with this, the development uses a combination green
roofs and artificial water bodies to limit the amount of water that leaves
the site.
Project Outcome:
• manages an estimated 23,000 m3/yr of potable water
• its cooling capacity reduces summer temperatures by ~2 °C resulting in
energy savings
• green roofs manage to intercept 61% of all rainfall
• rainwater is captured; about 60% of the amount in the cisterns will be
used for irrigation, while 40% is used (after cleaning) to flush toilets

© Ramboll
Potsdamer Platz
Solution System

The water is also purified and filtered

through natural means by the
purification biotopes in the north, main
and south waters, encouraging the
development of a unique microclimate.
roofs of the 19 buildings
have a total surface area
of 50,000 m2

Cisterns provide water for the 3-acre artificial

Piano Lake, and approximately ~ 4 million
gallons of water are circulated though
filtration beds once every three days
Potsdamer Platz
Suitability Consideration
Environmental
• Rainfall data, analysis and prediction
• Water cycle
• Climate impact analysis
• Rainfall data, analysis and prediction
Technical Cost
• Availability of space dedicated for water • it can be assumed that the cost was
retention within a development area shared among all building owners
within the development.
• Compatibility of retrofitting green roof
and rainwater harvesting system into
older building
• Site obstructions such as underground
utilities
Potsdamer Platz
Challenges | Additional Benefits
Challenges / Risk / Hazard
• difficulty in coordinating between multiple stakeholders
as it does not involve just one building - the main
driving force for the implementation of the scheme were
the strict requirements imposed by the city council
Additional Benefit
• Increase conservation and restoration of the habitat and
ecosystem – reduction in biodiversity loss and greater
ecological connectivity across sites
• Reduce financial cost for urban management as the
facility doubles as flood management and park
• Lower operation cost
• Contributes to health and wellbeing of residents as they
gain space for recreation activities and exercise.
America
Riverfront Park
Nashville, Tennessee

In May 2010, Nashville experienced a record-breaking flood, killed 11

people, causing severe damage to private property (more than USD 2
billion) and the loss of 1,528 jobs. To prepare for future flooding events,
the city redeveloped the site of a former waste-to-energy facility into
Riverfront Park, which opened in July 2015, and it is a mile-long, tree-
lined promenade, that hugs and the riverfront. The park incorporates green
infrastructure strategies such as bioswales, bioretention areas, and
rainwater harvesting to mitigate flood risks.
Project Outcome:
• Protection from 500-year flood events. Assist in mitigating flood from
the surrounding areas
• 4,000 square feet of green roof and 12,500 square feet of permeable
pavers. More than three acres of the park drain to bioswales, with an
additional five acres draining to a 375,000-gallon cistern below that
park’s amphitheater that is used for park irrigation.
• The rainwater harvesting system ensures that non potable water is used
for irrigation.

© Ramboll
Riverfront Park
Solution System

bioswales
Green roof

375 k gallon cistern

(below amphitheatre)

Bioretention area

Permeable pavers
Riverfront Park
Challenges | Additional Benefits
Challenges / Risk / Hazard
• Complexity to transform the site of a demolished waste-
to-energy plan to nature friendly public open place
• Potential of contamination with arsenic, lead and
polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
Additional Benefit
• Gathering spaces for both locals and visitors
• Significant economic benefit and revenue generation
with events and concerts booking at the amphitheatre
• Low emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, flooring
systems and wood products were used in the
amphitheatre building
• The park is in the process of achieving the status of
arboretum, which would house various different tree
species
• The amphitheatre building is designed to promote health
indoor environments for occupants
Meadowbrook Pond Rehabilitation Project
Seattle, Washington

In 2007, the Meadowbrook neighbourhood in Seattle experienced

flooding due to heavy rainfall. To prevent future flooding, Seattle Public
Utilities (SPU) increased the storage capacity of Meadowbrook Pond to
store stormwater. During rare storms, excess water is diverted into a
bypass pipe that leads to Lake Washington.
The pond also serves as a natural space with amenities such as walking
paths, public art, and bird watching areas. SPU conducts routine
maintenance to remove sediment and maintain the pond's functionality for
stormwater detention and wildlife habitat.
Project Outcome:
• Become a prominent role in flood reduction
• improved water quality
• Act as a reliable sediment removal from Thornton Creek

© Ramboll
Meadowbrook Pond Rehabilitation Project
Solution System

The water is also purified and

filtered through natural means
by the purification biotopes in
the north, main and south
waters, encouraging the
development of a unique
microclimate.
Meadowbrook Pond Rehabilitation Project
Suitability Consideration
Environmental
• Location; within watershed
• Rainfall data, analysis and prediction
• Climate impact analysis
Technical
• Pond capacity; range from dry months
to the most extreme storm events
Cost
• Maintenance: in-water sediment
removal from the forebay
• monitor sediment accumulation
over time
Meadowbrook Pond Rehabilitation Project
Challenges | Additional Benefits
Challenges / Risk / Hazard
• performance of the facility in the long run; hydraulics
and hydrology study would have to be carried out and
that study would require variable and assumptions for
specific flood events, and that study would require
variable and assumptions for specific flood events.
Additional Benefit
• Encouraged wildlife activity whilst being a safe
environment for the locals (Chinook salmon has
returned to breed around the area, islands in the pond
have been used for nesting waterfowl, and bald eagles
and beavers have been sighted at the pond)
• ii) Meadowbrook Pond has become a hub for
community activities and safe environment for the
community to commune and interact with each other
and nature
Eagle Valley Golf Course Stormwater Reuse
Woodbury, Minnesota

In 2013, Washington County widened Woodbury Drive from Valley Creek

Road to Bailey Road. To manage over 77 acres of runoff, county
implemented a fiscally and environmentally smart approach – stormwater
reuse. Water in Motion collaborated with the city of Woodbury and the South
Washington Watershed District to create a stormwater collection and reuse
system.
The system, located near Eagle Valley and Prestwick golf courses, irrigates
over 100 acres annually, using nutrient-rich stormwater instead of pumping
from wells. This has eliminated millions of gallons of excess water and
unwanted nutrients from flowing into Colby and Bailey Lakes. Additionally,
the project included the installation of a babbling brook amenity at Eagle
Valley that circulates, aerates, and preconditions stormwater.
Project Outcome:
• Reduced loading of the local watershed. The system pumped ~22.5
million gallons of stormwater for irrigation yearly (75% of groundwater
pumping are saved annually)

© Eagle Valley Golf Course

• Water quality of the lakes have improved through the effective removal of
pollutants with 99 lbs of phosphorus being removed per year, and a 9.6
acre/ft per event volume reduction has been recorded
Eagle Valley Golf Course Stormwater Reuse
Solution System
Eagle Valley Golf Course Stormwater Reuse
Challenges | Additional Benefits

Challenges / Risk / Hazard Additional Benefit

• Regulatory framework can be confusing • Healthier local lakes, which in turn helps to preserve the
aesthetic and appeal of living in the area
• stormwater has numerous contaminants to keep track of
and treat during the treatment process
• de-icing operations need to be carried out but that could
potentially damage the turf as well

• pond may need impervious bottom, and an increase of the

storage capacity must be considered to compensate for
fluctuating water elevation
Africa
Managed Aquifer Recharge
Atlantis, South Africa

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is not a new concept in Southern

Africa. It initially began as an alternative way to deal with wastewater and
to prevent loss of water to the sea. As the aquifer was studied extensively,
it was found that the natural yield was not sufficient to sustain the water
supply in Atlantis in the long term. Therefore, water conservation became
the key feature of the scheme.
The Atlantis scheme near Cape Town has been operational for more than
40 years. The anticipation of storing treated sewage water in the sand beds
of the Cape Flats in South Africa led the Water Research Commission to
fund research in this regard. The MAR system is integrated into the
Atlantis Water Resource Management Scheme. It is designed with
flexibility to control water flows of different salinity and to collect the
best quality water for infiltration into the aquifer.

© Google Maps
Spate Irrigation – Floodwater Harvesting
Ethiopia

Spate irrigation is an ancient form of floodwater harvesting. It has been

practiced for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The system mainly
operates in water scarce conditions as they rely on unpredictable volume,
occurrence, and duration of flood. It is a method of managing
unpredictable and potentially destructive flash floods for crop and
livestock production.
Spate irrigation schemes are dynamic and can change relatively quick,
transitioning from traditional to modern system. It generally comprises of
five main components; river bed stabilization, diversion of spate flows,
land to be irrigated, channels to convey the water from diversion points to
land to be irrigated, and drains.
Modernized systems are characterized by the use of permanent structures
made of concrete, a sediment exclusion system and an irrigation network
consisting of one single main canal and secondary, tertiary and field
canals which allow the supply of water to individual fields. Modernized
systems are sufficiently robust to tolerate variability and divert both

© P. Lawrence, F. Steenbergen
advance and recession flow including (reasonably) high floods which
cannot be diverted by traditional systems.