ipwea international study tour report

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STUDY TOUR REPORT

WAYNE PRANGNELL

Director of Infrastructure, Shire of Augusta Margaret River

[email protected]

I P W E A S T U D Y T O U R S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 9Innovat ion & Best Pract ice in Publ ic Works Engineer ing with a focus on Sustainable Communit ies ,

Cl imate Change and Water Management

T ow nvi e w T e r r a c e M a r g a r e t R i ve r W E ST E R N A U ST R A L I A t e l e p h o n e : 0 8 9 7 8 0 5 2 8 0 G a n h a a r @ m e . c o m
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Table of Contents

Executive Summary! 1Introduction! 1

Innovation and Best Practice in Public Works! 1American Public Works Congress! 3

Congress Overview! 3Greensburg, Kansas! 3

Energy! 4Combined Heat and Power in London! 4Woking New Energy Grid! 5

Transport! 6Sustainable Transport! 6City Transport Comparison! 6The Cycle Friendly City! 6Megacities and the Underground! 7

Water! 9Water Recycling! 9Water Recycling Overview! 9Water in San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento! 9Windsor Water Recycling! 9Serrano Water Recycling, El Dorado! 10Water Sensitive Urban Design! 11

Or g a ni z a t i on N a m e! P r opos a l T i t l e

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Embracing Water in the Urban Environment! 11Urban Design! 15

Urban Design Background and Approach! 15High Line Park! 15Public Art! 15Benches and Fences! 17

Glossary! 18Appendix A! 19

Windsor Water Recycling Sample Newsletter, Brochures and Water Quality Report ! 19Appendix B! 20

Recycled Water Users Manual for Dual Plumbed Houses in Serrano! 20Typical Recycled Water Details! 31

Or g a ni z a t i on N a m e! P r opos a l T i t l e

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Executive Summary

In September 2009, eight Australian local government and public works engineers visited North America,

the United Kingdom and Denmark on a tour to study innovation and best practice in public works engineering. The

group led by the IPWEA National CEO comprised Chris Champion (National CEO), David Harris (National President),

David Fricke IPWEA Victoria, Gary Baker IPWEA South Australia, Gerhard Joubert IPWEA Queensland, Peter Miller

IPWEA New South Wales and Wayne Prangnell IPWEA Western Australia. This report discusses water recycling in Cali-fornia, the American Nation Public Works Engineering Congress in Columbus Ohio, urban design at Highline Park in

New York, pedestrian and cycle planning and infrastructure in Copenhagen and Odense, Denmark, stormwater in urban

design in Malmo, Sweden, green roofs in Augustenborg, Sweden and new energy networks to reduce carbon emissions

in London and Woking UK.

The ideas observed and discussed on the tour and at the Congress were rich and numerous and providing an ongoing

source of inspiration.

Introduction

Innovation and Best Practice in Public Works

A group of eight Australian local government and public works engineers visited North America,

the United Kingdom and Denmark in September 2009. The group led by the IPWEA National CEO comprised Chris

Champion (National CEO), David Harris (National President), David Fricke IPWEA Victoria, Gary Baker IPWEA South

Australia, Gerhard Joubert IPWEA Queensland, Peter Miller IPWEA New South Wales and Wayne Prangnell IPWEA

Western Australia. During the tour the cities of Los Angeles, Columbus, Ohio for the APWA Public Works Congress,

New York, Copenhagen, Denmark and London were visited. This report provides a summary of key learnings from the

tour including the conference, meetings with various public works organisations as well as various ideas observed from

touring various cities. In addition to this main report, a separate summary report on water recycling case studies in Cali-

fornia and a paper for the IPWEA Western Australian State Division conference has been prepared.

The theme of the study tour is Innovation & Best Practice in Public Works. We met with local government managers,

public works practitioners and leading consultants to hear of their experiences, innovations and lessons learnt. The tour

focussed on the following areas of interest; Sustainable Communities; Climate Change and Stormwater Management.

Our priority areas of interest were:

Sustainable Communities Climate Change Water Management

Transit oriented development Local impacts and strategies Water recycling; non potable water

reuse

Alternative transport solutions Adaption and mitigation responses Stormwater harvesting and re-use

Pedestrian initiatives; walkable

communities

Sea level rise, storm surge, energy

management

Water sensitive urban design

Sustainable growth management

The Study Tour group came from a range of engineering and executive management backgrounds, and different size

communities from urban cities to rural communities. Our groups interests were broad, ranging from general manage-

ment, and specifically public works management and operational areas.

I ns t i t u t e o f P u b l i c W or k s E ng i ne e r s S t u d y T ou r 2 0 0 9! St u d y T ou r R e por t

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In addition to the group tour, the Western Australian representative, Wayne Prangnell attended an additional week in

California with a focus on decentralised urban water recycling in a Mediterranean climate comparable to that of Perth

and South Western WA. In California two urban water recycling projects were visited; Windsor Green in the Sonoma

Valley and El Dorado Hills west of Sacramento. Wayne met with consultants, engineers, Home Owners Association,

developers representative and utilities staff during the visit.

London Olympic Aquatics Stadium Australian Study Tour group (l-r) Gary Baker,

Chris Champion, Gerard Joubert, David Fricke,

Wayne Prangnell, David Harris and Peter Miller

Offshore Windfarm, Oresund Region.


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American Public Works Congress

Congress Overview

The American Public Works Congress brought together around 600 public works and related professionals for a one

week conference, expo and a range of social and networking events. Papers covered a broad range of topics including

water, environment, trails, transport and construction with a number of concurrent papers. Attending a range of paperson different subjects allowed comparison with American practices and approaches which are largely consistent with

Australian experience although the wider variety of climatic and geographical factors and larger population of the

United States provided additional challenges such as snow and ice management demonstrated through snow plough

equipment displays.

The highlight of the conference was arguably the presentation of the redevelopment Greensburg Kansas. This small ru-

ral farming town was almost completely destroyed by a 3 kilometer wide tornado with 90% of the towns buildings being

destroyed. The towns leaders recognised that the town was in decline before the tornado with diminishing population

and unstable economy. Instead of moving on, a recovery strategy was developed for a sustainable future.

The conferences keynote speaker, Larry Winget, proclaimed a financial guru on the Letterman Show, leaves us with themost enduring and topical advice, given the financial crisis. Dont spend more than you earn.

Downtown Columbus, Replica Christopher

Columbus Ship foreground.

American Public Works Congress Main Theatre Socialising Columbus style - learning to play

Corn Hole

Greensburg, Kansas

At 9:45 pm on May 4th, 2007 an EF5 tornado leveled the rural town of Greensburg, Kansas. Just days after the storm, the

community came together and decided to rebuild sustainably, striving to become a model green town for the future.

The residents of Greensburg were an inspiration as not only were they faced with a daunting task of rebuilding virtually

all of the above ground infrastructure for an entire town, they were able to do so in a new and innovate way. It has dem-

onstrated to other towns that if they are able to achieve high environmental standards for buildings in such a difficult

situation, equal or better environmental standards should be easily achievable in every other building project in the na-

tion. Some of the achievements in the rebuilding of Greensburg Kansas include being the first City Council in America

to declare all city buildings will be built to LEED Platinum, the first LEED Platinum (similar to 5 star green star rated)

John Deere dealership in the United States.

The efforts to create a new town around a sustainable ethos were captured in a documentary film and were broadcast

nationally and has led to an amazing influx of visitors, including film crews, students, architects and government offi-

cials who have come to see how the town has been transformed. The legacy of the green building program at Greens-

burg has created the largest new industry in Greensburg and has turned around the towns economy.


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Energy

While communities in the United States appear to be struggling to come to terms with climate change; is it real and what

can or should they do about it, the City of London is taking a strong leadership role. Mayor Ken Livingstone set ambi-

tious targets for greenhouse gas emissions of 60% reduction from 1990 levels by year 2025. He also set up a new agency,

the London Climate Change Agency (LCCA) to develop strategies and actions to deliver on these targets. Initially the

LCCA undertook a number of demonstration projects including solar power, wind turbines, building energy efficiency

and decentralised combined heat, cooling and power generation using a variety of technologies including fuel cells and

gas powered generators. This initial stage did not deliver large greenhouse gas savings, but it has led to better under-

standing of the technologies, costs, operational issues, potential carbon savings, barriers to implementation of solutions

and the development of more commercially focussed strategies to achieve the mayors targets.

The LCCA had now been absorbed into the London Development Agency and the new Mayor, Boris Johnstone is con-

tinuing to develop strategies to achieve these targets. The London Development Authority has completed whole of life

cost analysis of various options to reduce greenhouse gases and is focussing on facilitation of combined heat and power

(CHP) systems as an economically viable solution to achieving targets. In addition to achieving greenhouse gas reduc-

tion targets, CHP systems can deliver social benefits (improved heating, reducing heating costs), greater energy effi-ciency, reduced need for upgrading power grids to cater for growth and development of a new energy market for provi-

sion of heat and power by private companies. The study tour group met with the Head of Project Delivery - Environ-

ment, Peter North at the London Development Agency and was given an overview of their strategies and action plans,

an overview of CHP technology and shown plans for the implementation of CHP systems in London.

The study tour group also travelled to Woking Borough Council who are the most progressive local authority in the

United Kingdom in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They pioneered decentralised combined heat, power and cool-

ing and have the largest installed solar capacity in the country. They have set up a number of energy companies to de-

velop and operate energy systems and have established long term business plans to deliver renewable energy systems

on an economic basis. The study tour group met with Thamesway Energy, the energy company established and wholly

owned by Woking Borough Council and Managing Director John Thorpe provided a presentation on Woking Counciland Thamesway Energys energy initiatives.

An overview of the development of CHP systems for London an Woking is provided, but it is important to note that

CHP solutions may not be most cost effective and appropriate solution for achieving greenhouse gas reductions in Aus-

tralia. We can however learn much from London and Wokings including assessing options and developing a strategy to

determine economic renewable energy options, planning new energy solutions as part of urban development where ex-

isting expenditure could be directed toward more sustainable solutions, the barriers presented by the existing grid price

structure that affects economics of decentralised and renewable energy options, the need for Government to facilitate

connecting energy users and energy providers in new ways to remove barriers for implementing renewable energy solu-

tions and understanding that a long term approach is required in developing business cases for renewable energy.

Combined Heat and Power in London

The London Development Agency has undertaken detailed analysis and planning to determine the most cost effective

means for implementation of the Mayors greenhouse gas reduction targets and have subsequently developed an action

plan that identifies staged development of combined heat and power networks in London. The strategy has identified

existing power stations and industrial plants that produce waste heat and stage 1 of the strategy involves construction of

infrastructure to utilise this waste heat for residential heating including room heating and domestic hot water services.

The second stage of the project will be to facilitate the construction of new CHP power stations utilising renewable fuels

by industry to increase the number of customers connected to CHP systems in central London. The Mayor of London


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has targets for 25% of Londons Energy supply to be from decentralised systems by 2025. Decentralised systems are

most suited to CHP systems as it energy generation close to users of heat energy.

Utilising CHP systems is highly efficient compared to traditional fossil fuel energy sources, with efficiency increasing

from around 35% for a coal fired power station to around 80% for a decentralised gas fired CHP plant. The CHP plants

utilise proven and established technologies and represent a low investment for investment compared to newer energy

technologies. The approach is also economically sound, providing a market for heat energy that was otherwise wasted.

To achieve the mayors ambitious targets, conditions are now being applied to new residential building developments

greater than 150 units with building required to connect to local heating networks or to install their own CHP plant un-

der planning regulations.

CHP power stations need to be as close as possible to their customers as the construction of pipes to circulate hot water is

expensive. In addition heat losses and pumping costs are minimised with reduced distances. Typical heat losses from

insulated heat pipes are around 1% per kilometer. There also needs to be sufficient population densities for projects to be

economically viable and LDA is working on establishing guidance for linear heat density (kWh/m) for heat transport

networks.

A summary of heat projects in London is provided at LGTheat.net.

Insulated heat pipes ready for installation, Co-

penhagen

Woking Railway Station canopy surfaced with

solar cells

Schematic of Woking CHP power station located

in the ground floor of a multi level carpark in

Woking town centre

Woking New Energy Grid

The Borough of Woking about 1/2 hour south of London CBD has installed a range of alternative power supplies, devel-

oped their own alternative power grid to connect a range of Council buildings, housing developments and commercial

buildings and established a wholly owned energy company, Thamesway Energy to provide energy to customers. Energy

is provided by one of the largest concentrations of solar photovoltaic installations in the UK, a fuel cell power plant and

as a gas powered generator in the bottom floor of a Council carpark. They provide power and heat to their customers

and operate their own power grid to deliver electricity. It is the only Local Government in the UK with an energy sub-sidiary.

A unique feature of the Woking Energy network has been the establishment of a private wire electricity network. By

running private electrical connections to customers, the Council avoids large built in overhead costs within the public

utility grids. The private wire network does not provide the same level of reliability as the public grid, so a connect to

the grid is maintained as a back up, but buying majority of energy direct from the Council enables Thamesway Energy to

operate profitably. Without a private wire system, the distribution utilities would take the profits.

Achievements since being established in 1992 include reduction in corporate energy consumption of 31%, reduction in

corporate CO2 emissions of 29%and a reduction in CO2 emissions within the borough of 21% from 1990 levels. Other

initiatives at Woking to reduce emissions across the borough include an enterprise car hire scheme designed to replacecompany cars, parking fee discounts for low carbon emission vehicles and a card based bicycle borrowing system.I ns t i t u t e o f P u b l i c W or k s E ng i ne e r s S t u d y T ou r 2 0 0 9! St u d y T ou r R e por t

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Transport

Sustainable Transport

Visiting a number of cities in America and Europe provided an opportunity to experience and compare transport sys-

tems including cars, train, bus, bicycle and walking. We experienced both the effectiveness of different modes of trans-

port as well as the effect that the design of transportation systems have on cities and their inhabitants. The combinationof public transport systems and a high proportion of cycling trips experienced in Nordic cities resulted in a very liveable

city and after a brief overview of different transport highlights, a more detailed summary is provided on how the Cities

of Copenhagen, Odense and Malmo are increasing the mode share for cycling and have made their cities more attractive

and safer for cyclists.

Of all that has been learned on the tour, one of the most important, obvious yet frequently ignored in developing areas in

Australia is that cities are for people. They should be interesting, vibrant, stimulating, relaxing, healthy. The most im-

portant transport modes in making cities for people are walking, cycling, public transport. There is a place for cars, but

the use of private cars needs to be given a lower priority in Australian cities if we are to develop more attractive, more

active, more sustainable cities for people.

City Transport Comparison

The Cycle Friendly City

Copenhagen, Denmark, Odense, Denmark and Malmo Sweden all pride themselves on being cycle friendly cities. They

provide excellent examples of modern cycle planning, implementation of cycling as an intrinsic part of transport infra-

structure projects and cycling promotion and education programs. Copenhagen claims the highest percentage of com-

muter trips by cyclists in the world at around 50% of all commuter trips.

Company Parking Lot, Malmo Sweden. Tyre Air Point, Odense Town Square, Denmark. Attractive, sheltered bicycle parking, Odense

Town Square, Denmark.

What makes cycling in the nordic cities so attractive? The cities are fairly flat, but favourable grades for cycling are offset

by the harsh winter weather and strong wind. We asked several Danes about the seeming disparity between harsh

weather and cycling. The response was unanimously, we have a tough Viking heritage. The real reason why cycling is

so attractive in these cities is that it is fast, safe, convenient and affordable. With much higher city densities than Austra-

lian cities, distances to be covered are much less than in Australian cities with even much lower populations. Compre-

hensive cycle planning and infrastructure that in addition to cycle paths includes high visibility treatments at intersec-

tions and strong public awareness and safety campaigns ensure cyclists are respected by motorists and cyclists feel safe.

Bicycle parking in these cities is convenient with regular bicycle parking facilities through the city, in stark contrast to

vehicle parking for which city planners have resisted surrendering large tracts of land. The affordability of cycling

should need no explanation.


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When cycling is combined with a high quality system regional and metropolitan trains and high frequency bus services a

strong model of a sustainable transport system that does not rely on private cars has been established. Some ideas that

contribute to increasing the quality of the public transport service that have been implemented include; wireless hotspots

on most trains, sms ticketing (your e ticket is texted to your phone), high standard of stations with commercial services

within stations and high standard of information systems and extensive bicycle parking at stations.

With high usage of cycling in the Nordic cities, innovative solutions to carrying goods has developed and a local indus-

try manufacturers a number of different forms of transport bikes. These bikes are used for transporting children, shop-

ping and are used by courier services. They have been fitted out as mobile vending services.

The health and fitness of the average Dane compared to Americans was apparent. The high level of cycling compared to

near total reliance on motor vehicles in many US cities being an obvious contributor.

Megacities and the Underground

New York, Los Angeles and London - large cities on a global scale must deal with the fundamental challenge of movinglarge volumes of people and goods. The solutions to the transport problem are both part of the culture of the city, defin-

ing daily routines as well as a substantial impact on how space is used. New York and London both use a similar range

of transport options however the mix is somewhat different whereas Los Angeles is known for its car dependence.

The most visible, but perhaps least effective mode of transport in both London and New York is the car. With heavily

congested roads, long delays and heavy competition for space, driving in a large city is not for the faint hearted and is

undeniably the most stressful method of travel in a large city. The presence of a continual stream of loud, fast and ag-

gressive traffic exerts a significant influence on the character of a city, with pedestrians crammed into a narrow strip of

space left over at each side of the road and pedestrians regularly interrupted by busy road crossings. On the streets of

one of these large cities, one could be forgiven for thinking that the presence of people in a city is purely an inconven-

ience for the machines which rule the streets. There are however changes appearing, with City Councils recognising thebenefits of reclaiming some small areas as pedestrian enclaves with Times Square in New York being a high profile ex-

ample. Further encouragement that people have not abandoned streets to the car comes with the frequent closure of

roads experienced, particularly in New York for festivals, parades and markets where streets free of traffic can be experi-

enced adding vibrancy and life to the city.

Busses are clearly an important transport solution, more so in London than New York where the red double decker bus is

a London icon. Busses solve the major problem of car ownership of parking. They are a flexible solution for different

routes yet the congestion on roads limits their efficiency for traveling any distance across the city.

Given the density of these Cities, the bicycle in theory would be an effective transport weapon. Practically however nar-

row and busy streets make the busses, vans, trucks and cars far more effective as anticyclist weapons. As result cyclistsin London and New York contribute little to the transport solution.

Los Angeles with its lower density and more widely dispersed centres and attractions is designed around vehicle trans-

port, with the vast areas of the city set aside for roads to keep the traffic flowing, the lower density and dependence on

cars are clearly interlinked. While traffic was busy in Los Angeles, it still seemed an effective although unpleasant means

of getting around. As limited time was spent in Los Angeles, limited comments are provided however driving to Los

Angeles to drop off a hire car and then traveling via taxi to accommodation and airports provided an experience of typi-

cal Los Angeles traffic.


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London Bus.Thames River ferry.

Streets Closed to Traffic, Street Parade, New

York

Carrying the largest share of the transit task in New York and London, the underground is the backbone of the transport

system. While largely unseen below the ground, the rumblings underfoot and rush of warm air at stairways to the lower

realm are a constant reminder of its presence. Although frequently noisy, smelly, crowded and delivering a lurching

ride, the subway cannot be beaten for fast, economical and reliable transport. Some of the features that are now taken for

granted but have obviously been the result of careful planning, design and execution include well located entrance /

exits, pedestrian crossings under roads, easy access to ticketing both automatic and assisted, efficient gateways to proc-

ess large volumes of people quickly and high frequency of services.

A relaxed mode of transport in London, more recently given over from industrial transport to become the domain of

tourists is the Thames river ferries. Connecting major attractions of London along the river, ferries are less regular, more

expensive but perhaps present unique opportunities for new passenger transport routes.


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Water

Water Recycling

Water Recycling Overview

With a specific interest in water recycling from a number of water recycling projects being undertaken within theAugusta Margaret River Shire, water recycling in California with a similar mediteranean climate to South West Western

Australia was investigated. In addition to a similar climate, California has experienced sustained growth and previously

plentiful water running off from the Sierra Nevada mountain range has been reduced through political decisions on en-

vironmental water allocations and two years of drought, thus making water resources an important engineering and

political issue.

Water in San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento

Over 20 million people rely on water from three major river deltas in the upper San Francisco Bay area and despite

growing demand, a recent federal decision has required the state to allocate more water to rivers and lakes for environ-

mental grounds to protect endangered fish, thus there is growing political interest in new sustainable water sources such

as recycled water. While there has been a long history of agricultural water reuse in California, progress has been slow

and regulators conservative, so there are limited residential recycling examples.

This report provides a case study of the two main urban development projects with water recycling to private residential

properties in Northern California; Windsor Water Recycling and the Serrano Eldorado urban development. Other pro-

jects have been planned but are on hold due to the downturn in development and / or the lack of funds resulting from

the financial crisis. Other demonstration projects have included reticulating the Golden Gate Park (The Park in San

Francisco) which was discontinued due concerns over polluting the underlying aquifer.

In addition to the residential recycling projects studied, it is worth noting two other innovative water recycling projects.

The Geysers geothermal energy generation project has been in place for some time, taking treated water from the cities of

Santa Rosa, Windsor and Healdsburg, piping water 65km to the Geysers Steam Fields where it is injected undergroundin the Mayacamas, the mountain range west of the Nappa Valley. The seemingly unlimited underground geothermal

energy source heats the water to steam generating energy for 1.1 million people.

At Redwood City a new project to build water recycling infrastructure initially for commercial and industrial customers

and eventually connection of new residential areas has been commenced. It is a good example of retrofitting a compre-

hensive water recycling system to a developed area. Well known customers in Port of Redwood, the Redwood commer-

cial project area are software developers Electronic Arts and Oracle.

Windsor Water Recycling

Windsor is a town near the Sonoma Valley, North of San Francisco. The Town of Windsor promotes water conservation

and is leading the introduction of recycled water for residential use in the region. They have established a new town

water recycling scheme that services public open space, schools, commercial properties, fire station, golf course and are

also providing recycled water services (dual reticulation) to homes in the Vintage Green development. Mark Millan,

Barry Duggan Information Management and Public Relations Consultants and Tom Gorman, Construction Manager

provided details and discussed the project. They also provided a site inspection of the Windsor Wastewater Treatment

Plant and various sites utilising recyced water.

The Vintage Green development has approval for 150 new lots per year and each new lot is provided with a recycled

water service that is used for front and rear garden irrigation. Recycled water will be provided to home owners until

2012 at no charge after which the town will review pricing. When the pricing is reviewed, the Town has committed that


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the price of recycled water will be less than drinking water. Residents are not required to connect to the scheme, how-

ever the town asks residents who do not wish to be connected to the recycling scheme to reimburse the Town costs for

initiating the connection to their lot.

An important part of gaining public acceptance for the scheme has been an ongoing public consultation, education and

information program. The information program includes newsletters, information brochures for householders, annual

water quality reports. A copy of examples of this information is attached in Appendix A.

The water is treated to a tertiary standard using conventional treatment technologies comprising screening, aeration,

clarification, filtration and disinfection. To achieve water quality standards suitable for residential reuse, the main differ-

ence from a similar Western Australian wastewater treatment plant is the addition of additional filters and provision of

higher levels of disinfection. The Windsor Wastewaster treatment plant had recently commissioned a UV disinfection

system, however this was principally due to health and safety considerations including the proximity of the plant to

neighbouring houses and businesses.

Mark Millan, Tom Gorman, Town of Windsor

Treatment Plant Staff and Barry Dugan inspect-

ing Windsor Wastewater Treatment Plant

Windsor Town Green with recycled water fed

water feature.

Lawns watered with recycled water at Vintage

Green development, Windsor, California.

Serrano Water Recycling, El Dorado

Serrano El Dorado is located west of the Californian capitol, Sacramento. The developer of the estate, Parker Corpora-

tion has approval for around 5,300 homes on 3,500 acres with around 3,800 homes already consytructed. The initial mo-

tivation for the developer to provide recycled water services was that the water utility, El Dorado Irrigation District onlyhad sufficient water allocations to provide up to 1,700 new connections. The developer also wanted to maintain a high

standard of landscaping across the estate including irrigated parklands, golf course and front yards. Use of recycled

water for landscape irrigation allowed the number of households that could be serviced to be increased while ensuring

sufficient water resources are available for use in landscaping. The General Manager of the Serrano El Dorado Owners

Association, John Bowman and Recycled Water Manager Martin Opalenik provided information about the development

and management of the scheme while Kirk Bone from Parker Development Corporation provided a developers perspec-

tive and an insight into obtaining approvals and maintaining Government relations. The El Dorado Owners Association

also provided a tour of the development and arranged to meet with El Dorado Irrigation District Engineering Manager

Elizabeth Wells and to tour the water treatment plant.


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Since 1999 all lots sold in the estate have had dual reticulation with recycled water provided for external irrigation.

Given the pioneering nature of the scheme in Northern California, there has been careful management to ensure success

and confidence of authorities in the scheme. Management of the scheme within the estate is undertaken predominantly

by the Home Owners Association (HOA). The Serrano El Dorado Owners Association employs a recycled water man-

ager and the HOA inspects and certifies every connection which includes inspection and testing of backflow prevention

devices on every property. In addition the HOA provides training to contractors and maintains a list of authorised con-

tractors who can undertake work on recycled water systems, they undertake annual backflow prevention device testing,cross connection testing initially and on every change of ownership, approval of landscape and irrigation plans and in-

spect all completed irrigation systems. The results of all tests and inspections are documented and are reported to the

utility, El Dorado Irrigation District (EDID) monthly. The roles and responsibilities undertaken by the HOA are docu-

mented through a MOU with EDID.

Homes in Serrano use on average 230kL per annum of potable water and 620kL of recycled water. EDID charge 50% -

60% of the cost of potable water for recycled water and EDID have indicated that typically in the US recycled water costs

80% of the cost of potable water.

The HOA have also developed a range of information including information sheets, checklists standard drawing, train-

ing programs and a recycled water users manual. A copy of the Recycled Water Users Manual for Dual PlumbedHomes in Serrano and some standard details for recycled water application are attached at Appendix B.

Water Storage - El Dorado Treatment Plant with

1MW Solar PV array in background

Street in Serrano development utilising recycled

water for front garden irrigation

Golf Course and Lake at Serrano, El Dorado Hills

supplied with recycled water.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Embracing Water in the Urban Environment

The study tour group visited leading European urban design examples embracing water collection and use in urban

landscapes at Malmo in Sweden where projects at Western Harbour and Augustenborg were visited. Lars Bohme,

Landscape Architect for Malmo Commune led a walking tour of the Western Harbour site which is a major urban rede-

velopment of an old industrial port and which commenced as a demonstration project for the 2001 European Home Ex-

hibition. At Augustenborg which is a centre for green roofs and an old housing development that has been retrofitted as

an eco-city, Louis Lundberg from Malmo University provided a presentation and tour on green roof design, roof garden-

ing and retrofitting a development to improve liveability and sustainability. Augustenborg has received considerable

recognition through this program for success in revitalising an old public housing area that had fallen into decline. A

range of sustainability features including energy, transportation, water and urban habitat were included in these projects

however this report focusses on water and habitat.


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Western Harbour, Malmo

Malmo is a city of 290,000 in Sweden, approximately 40km SE of Copenhagen,

connected to Copenhagen via the Oresund Bridge and Tunnel. There is devel-

opment pressure in Malmo as it offers comfortable train commuting to Copen-

hagen and is more affordable than the Danish capitol. An old industrial port

area close to the city centre is being redeveloped for housing by Malmo Kom-

mune (Council) with assistance from the Swedish Government. The Swedish

Government injected funds into the project for the European Home Exhibition

and have created a demonstration project with strong sustainability and urban

design themes. A strong element within the urban landscape is water with

stormwater systems integrated

with landscaping and public art.

Malmo has cold wet winters,

strong wind and high rainfall, yet

in this highly urbainsed area, the

stormwater system is almost en-

tirely above ground and is arguably the most attractive and interesting

aspect of the landscape.

Water is captured from roof down pipes and discharged through inlet

blocks which are architectural features, hewn from granite. Stormwater

travels overland through paved gutters, small open channels alongside

buildings, increasing in size as the water travels downstream becoming

large open channels, eventually discharging via waterfalls into the ocean.

Stormwater treatment basins are build as attractive ponds within public

open space, they are filled with plants to filter the water. Water crossings

including bridges and stepping stones use natural materials such as granite

and are architectural features. As the water travels through public spaces, it

is sometimes channelled through public artworks, adding motion and more interest to public places. Even stormwater

outlets are carefully designed, some as natural streams cascading into the ocean, other outlets as modern design touches.

Additional benefits of the urban water system is the creation and enrichment of habitat

The best way to demonstrate the urban water system at Malmo is through pictures and consequently a number of pho-

tographs of different elements of the system are provided.

Landscaped open stormwater channel in front of

corner store

Intensively developed public open space incor-

porating stormwater water feature and public art

Public art water feature (left side) and small

stormwater channels in paving (right side)


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Stormwater channels attractively landscaped Landscaped ponds and channels integrated into

paving.

Stormwater integrated into public squares

Malmo challenges the standard urban design forms that are often dished up, selected from an engineers standard cook-

book with a depth of design thinking that penetrates all aspects of the urban environment.

Augustenborg

Augustenborg is a suburb of Malmo in Sweden and the area visited by the study tour was a public housing area devel-

oped in the 1950s. It is reasonably high density housing ranging from single to five storey units and includes a primary

school. The area was redeveloped by Malmo Kommune and housing company MKB as a way of addressing social prob-

lems being experienced in the area. While there are many aspects to learn from in this development, including the con-

sultation process and improvement of buildings, this report focusses on the application of green roofs and stormwater

management retrofitting project, addressing flooding problems in the combined sewer and stormwater system.

The introduction of green roofs has had numerous benefits. It has reduced the rate of run off from roofs, helping to ad-

dress problems of flooding of the combined sewer and stormwater system. It also improves the quality of stormwater

runoff, provides improved insulation and buffering of temperature variations within buildings and provides a consider-

able area of habitat in a highly developed area. Socially it has also had benefits, involving the community in the redevel-

opment process and creating pride and community involvement in a disfunctional area.

Roof gardens at Augustenborg. Solar PV awn-

ings and car park swale visible on righthand side.

Light weight roof garden growth media compris-

ing layer of recycled car seats and a layer of peat

rich soil entrapped in plastic matting.

Study Tour group on the roof garden with Louis

Lundberg.

One of the initial myths that was dispelled was the need for upgrading roof structures to provide a green roof. The tech-

niques developed at Augustenborg use a thin and very light weight growing medium for roof gardens, thus a roof gar-

den can be created simply by placing a waterproofing layer and then unrolling the growth medium carpet with little


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or no further upgrading. Even experimental areas where large mounds had been created on the roof did not require

upgrading of roof structures as

The plants utilised for roof gardens have been selected from natural rocky habitats for their ability to survive with little

or no maintenance in the thin soil layer. In fact the effect of increasing soil depths is to encourage weed growth where in

the thin soil layers, weeds are not able to establish, thus minimising maintenance requirements.

Other major components of improving the the re-

development at Augustenborg include the con-

struction of a new storm water system to separate

the stormwater flows out of the combined sewer

system to stop flooding of contaminated water

after heavy rain and landscaping the common ar-

eas to improve amenity for residents. This has

been carried out in an integrated way so that

stormwater is carried through open channels and

ponds as part of the landscaping and also to filter

stormwater flows.

Some clever designs that could be adapted

for Australian conditions include a rain-

garden fringed box channel and a sunken

amphitheatre in a primary school court-

yard that doubles as stormwater storage

and infiltration area.

The school amphitheatre is shown to the

right with an open channel to discharge

stormwater at the rear. The amphitheatre

enhances the school courtyard and is used

for small assemblies and as a performance

space. It fills with water during heavy

rain. The two uses do not conflict as out-

door assemblies are not held in the rain and

the amphitheatre has an open graded free draining crushed rock base to ensure water does not remain standing for long

periods after rain.


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Urban Design

Urban Design Background and Approach

This section comprises both a collection of ideas to inspire and provoke thought that may be applied to the development

and design of our own communities and a brief case study of the development of High Line Park in New York. High

Line Park has been developed on a disused elevated railway corridor in the West Chelsea district in New York.

High Line Park

High Line Park in New York is a new linear urban park in the West Chelsea district of New York that has turned a dis-

used elevated railway corridor into an active greenspace that connects neighbourhoods. Being elevated, the park pro-

vides a peaceful retreat, away from the traffic pressures of New York. The linear nature of the park provides a relaxing

walkway between neighbourhoods which is enhanced by a meandering path that varies in width along its length, in-

cludes vistas of the neighbourhoods and streets below, has ample seats of different interpretations of the railway theme

and has quiet areas amongst trees and wild meadow plants.

Keep it Wild, Use of Native Grasses and Shrubs,

Also showing varying width of path.

High Line Park New York, original railway con-

struction evident.

Building Name (check Standard Hotel),

Constructed Over High Line Park.

The park was heavily used, with many of the people using apparently visitors, with the awards the park has won and

the innovative hotel design featured on television travel shows contributing to a high level of visitation.

Public Art

An integral part of city life, public art adds an additional levels of interest to public places. It might be quirky, provoca-

tive, celebrate culture and history. It might even be useful. Some public art that captured the groups interest is shown

below. It should encourage the use of public art in our own public places to add to what these spaces offer.

Public artworks as a city icon. Integrating culture and history into a park shel-

ter, reusing an old viking boat, Copenhagen canal

park.

Timber bench at Canary Wharf, London contrasts

with modern skyscrapers.


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Cyclists Treatments

This intersection in Odense, Denmark is typical of many

signalised intersections that were observed in Denmark andSweden with separate crossing areas provided and high-

lighted for pedestrians and cyclists. A separate (smaller) set

of signals, seen in foreground is provided for cyclists and

pedestrians.

Cycleways and Path

While most urban roads in areas visited in Denmark and Sweden

were provided with cycleways, an excellent detail in areas where

traffic volumes are higher was separating the cycleway from the

vehicle carriageway with a kerb or rows of cobblestones, or in the

example shown from Malmo with a landscape strip, provides

stronger separation and a greater sense of safety. Different surface

materials are used for footpaths, also defining separate spaces for

pedestrians.

As a variation on use of tactile indicators, in Denmark and Sweden,

boundaries and hazards were often bordered with one or more rows of cobblestones.


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Benches and Fences

Benches were effectively used in a number of parks and recreational areas to

serve a combined purpose of a seating area at the start and end of a walkway,

but what may have been less apparent was their use to fence high pedestrian

traffic areas and direct people to the walkway without the need for a fence,maintaining a more open and

attractive walkway entry.

These bench designs (San Francisco Botanic Gardens, Golden Gate Park

left and streetscape, Malmo demonstrate simple and durable, yet effective

use of natural timber combining seating and fencing, defining an area

without the visual intrusion of handrailing or fencing.

The example on the left from Sacramento, California is an exam-

ple of the use of living fences. While this is a highly manicured

example, simpler lower maintenance living fences could be easily

imagined.


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GlossaryA) Price

About 70% - 80% of the price of an item excluding state

taxes, VAT, tips, currency exchange, staff superannuation

levy and some other levy that you dont know is custom-

ary in a particular city.

B) Queue

Standard method of occupying time in a city.

C) Downtown

Town centre or old town commercial district.

D) HOA

Home Owners Association

E) MOU

Memorandum of Understanding

F) Oresund

Greater urban area centered on Copenhagen including

Malmo, connected to Copenhagen via Oresund Bridge.

G) CHP

Combined Heat and Power - refers to distribution of heat

energy in addition to electricity from a power plant such as

a coal or gas fired generator.


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Appendix A

Windsor Water Recycling Sample Newsletter, Brochures and Water Quality Report


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Appendix B

Recycled Water Users Manual for Dual Plumbed Houses in Serrano


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Typical Recycled Water Details

ipwea international study tour report

Documents