The Cinderella Resource - Urban Stormwater in a Dry Country

Urban stormwater is now seen as a valuable resource which can provide a variety of community benefits beyond the traditional concerns with flooding. These benefits include aesthetic, recreational, nature conservation and a source of second class water that can take pressure off potable supplies. The designers of urban stormwater systems need to facilitate discussions with those representing these wider interests to ensure an integrated system is provided. Governments need to consider organisational arrangements which allow the planning and management of urban stormwater to be integrated effectively with other aspects of urban design and regional water quality planning.