| Rain Gardens | |
Stormwater is the biggest threat to our local waterways and bays. Raingardens help to filter and capture stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways and paths that would otherwise flow straight into our stormwater systems and in turn our creeks, rivers and bays.
A typical raingarden may look like a normal garden but it slows the water flow by capturing stormwater and allowing it to soak into the ground. Layers of sandy soil and plants ensure that rainwater is retained and pollutants are removed, making a positive contribution to our environment.
For a limited time Melbourne Water in partnership with South East Water are offering Kingston residents the following:
Free raingarden instalment quote
Incentives for residents to install a new raingarden (you may be eligible for a $250 financial reimbursement)*
Free ‘downpipe diversion’ raingardens*
A chance to go into the draw to win a $250 Bunnings voucher*
Conditions apply for this offer.
See the bottom of this page for more details or visit http://raingardens.melbournewater.com.au/content/news_and_events.asp#6
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| Integrated Water Cycle Strategy | |  The Kingston Integrated Water Cycle Strategy is a new approach to water management because it sets short and long term targets for all water sources in the urban water cycle. These are stormwater, drinking water, wastewater and groundwater.
Achieving these targets will ensure that Kingston is well on track to becoming a water sensitive city. One of these major targets includes achieving clean stormwater runoff across the entire municipality by 2040. Other targets involve the increase of recycled water use and the uptake of more residential rainwater tanks in our community.
A key outcome of this strategy was the development of the water balance diagram. This diagram displays the key inputs and outputs of the Kingston water cycle and clearly shows the ‘untapped’ potential of our local water supplies.
In the water sensitive future, our city will act as a catchment where all non drinking water will be sourced locally from alternative water supplies such as stormwater and recycled water. The water balance diagram illustrates that we could meet our city's mains water demand 20 times over with alternative water sources within Kingston's boundary.
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| Other initiatives of water sensitive living include: |
 | Street stormwater filtered through raingardens, swales, tree pits and other Water Sensitive Urban Design devices | | Rainwater filtered through green roofing and green wall systems | | Stormwater harvesting and storage for non-drinking use | | Increased porous surfaces, reducing stormwater runoff and replenishing groundwater | | Sustainable water projects integrated with energy, waste, transport and biodiversity projects | | Urban waterways and drains returned to health waterways with pre-settlement characteristics and reduced flooding | | Sustainable water smart communities using water that is fit for its purpose | | Highly visible sustainable water initiatives that play an important education purpose
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| Key actions at a community level include the widespread uptake of water tanks, more use of recycled water and more private raingardens.
The Strategy will reduce water costs to Council, community facility users and residents of new developments.
Kingston is a recognised leader in sustainable water management (e.g. Kingston’s Water Sensitive Urban Design projects - WSUD) and this Strategy will build on the great work that has been done in areas of water efficiency, treatment and reuse, and the integration of these systems into every aspect of our ongoing development.
The Integrated Water Cycle Strategy and accompanying Technical Report is available for download.
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| Water Sensitive Urban Design for Industrial Areas | | Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is widely accepted as a sustainable method of treating stormwater before it enters the environment. These projects explored the application of WSUD within industrial zones and precincts.
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