Improved water management

Improved water quality

Currently, the site is prone to flooding, leading to surface water flowing directly to the adjacent drain. Standing water is often present for prolonged periods after rainfall events. This is due to the site being relatively low with respect to the surrounding land, and a heavy clay pan to the south-east corner of the site resulting in poor drainage.

Water management of the site is not only detrimental to the receiving environment, but limits horticulture opportunities of the land.

Through the construction of a vegetated attenuation basin, we will undertake onsite storm water management, and improve the water quality to the receiving environment. Working within the natural features of the site (ground water depth and the location of the clay pan), surface water will be directed to a shallow, multi-chamber attenuation basin that aims to slow and provide increased filtration before entering the receiving environment.

Water quantity and quality will be monitored and form part of our research and teaching programmes. The increased variation of soil moisture conditions of the attenuation basin further increases the diversity of planting options – also further increasing biodiversity of the site.

Any accumulation of sediment within the basin will be recycled for use back on the Energy Farm or other areas of the University.

Vegetated attenuation basin