Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) systems and devices are used mainly to slow down the runoff rate of stormwater off properties and to filter out sediment and pollutants from our waterways.

These devices allow runoff water to be re-used, protects the natural environment, and prevents flooding of streets, public properties, and residencies. This blog goes into the various types of WSUD devices we offer.

Rainwater Tanks:

Rainwater tanks capture and hold roof water for re-use purposes on-site. Rainwater tanks also play a part in local flood control. It is important that the tank is filled and emptied regularly to avoid health hazards from water stored for extended periods.

Biofilters:

Biofilters (also referred to as Bioretention systems or rain gardens) are engineered garden beds that filter stormwater runoff through a filter media. Plant roots and microbes in the soil naturally remove pollutants from the waterways. Biofilters can be constructed as basins, swales or medians.

Biofilter street tree pits:

Biofilter street tree pits are small Bioretention systems with filter media and under drainage fitted into a street tree pit. They are very similar to Bioretention systems in terms of design, operation, maintenance and monitoring requirements.

Wetlands:

A wetland is a vegetated wet basin (or series of wet basins) that filters and treats stormwater before it enters our waterways. The plants in a wetland capture fine particles and absorb nutrients from the stormwater; they slow and filter the water allowing sediment to settle.

Vegetated Buffer Strips and Swales:

Vegetated buffer strips and swales are simple stormwater transfer systems that treat runoff through filtration and sediment capture. Buffer strips are vegetated surfaces that allow runoff to flow towards a downstream outlet. Swales generally form a sloped vegetated channel that conveys stormwater along a long path.

Onsite Stormwater Detention (OSD):

On-site stormwater detention is the temporary storage and controlled release of stormwater generated on-site. OSD temporarily stores and slows down the rate of stormwater runoff from a property so that it does not worsen flooding downstream. This differs from other detention devices such as rainwater tanks which stores rainwater for re-use purposes.

Gross Pollutant Traps:

Gross pollutant traps (GPTs) capture litter, sediment and debris that is washed into the stormwater system. Most GPTs are proprietary products that vary in exact form and function but are comprised of similar components. We have 4 approved GPT products, including CDS, HumeGard, Stormceptor, and HumeCeptor.

Filter Cartridges:

Filter cartridges include sand filters and proprietary products that operate in a similar way to GPTs, but are designed to filter finer pollutants, such as fine solids, soluble heavy metals, oils and nutrients.

Pit Inserts:

These devices are fitted into stormwater drainage pits to capture litter, debris and other pollutants from urban runoff. They are often used as the primary treatment of stormwater before it enters a secondary or tertiary treatment system.

Permeable Paving:

Permeable paving allows water to infiltrate through the paving, reducing the volume of runoff from hard surfaces such as roads, car parks, and footpaths. This reduces local flooding and surface ponding and promotes infiltration.

Temporary Sediment Basins

Temporary sediment basins are installed during the construction stage of development to help manage stormwater impacts during construction. These open water bodies treat stormwater by allowing coarse particles and suspended sediments to settle.


Stormwater Sydney provides complete stormwater management for commercial and residential properties. Design, Cleaning, Maintenance, Repairs, Construction, and Advisory on stormwater systems across Sydney, ensuring compliance with Sydney standards and Council regulations.

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