Brisbane engineering firm, Bligh Tanner, is helping to create more resilient and self-sufficient urban developments, with a new water management model that allows a city’s water supply to grow as its population increases.
Bligh Tanner worked closely with Japanese engineers, JFE, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) and the Queensland Water Commission (QWC) to develop an the integrated water management solution for a new 114 hectare housing development at Fitzgibbon Chase, 12km north of Brisbane.
The project features a non-potable stormwater harvesting system (the FiSH) and potable roof water harvesting system (PotaRoo) that are estimated to achieve a 60% saving on normal mains water use.
Don Begbie, Director of the Urban Water Security Research Alliance said, “The FiSH and PotaRoo projects together provide an excellent and innovative example of infrastructure to challenge the current paradigm and demonstrate sustainable alternative water supply options.”
The PotaRoo project harvests roof water from approximately 600 homes in Fitzgibbon Chase, which is stored in a number of communal tanks and then pumped to a central storage and water treatment plant to produce water of potable quality.
In tandem with the PotaRoo project, EDQ has developed the Fitzgibbon Stormwater Harvesting (FiSH) scheme which will divert, filter and disinfect urban stormwater runoff to supply non-potable water for irrigation, toilet flushing, laundry and outdoor uses throughout Fitzgibbon Chase.
“Making a project like this happen is about far more than technology – we’ve resolved a myriad of financial, legal and regulatory issues, as well as social and cultural barriers. The knowledge gained is invaluable,” said Chris Tanner, founding Director of Bligh Tanner.
