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Stormwater

Stormwater Management Stormwater Network Map Drainage Easements City Drainage Connection WSUD 

Stormwater and Drainage

Stormwater is standing or flowing water produced after a heavy rainfall or storm. This water flows over ground surfaces, runs off any material and can pool, causing flooding.  

When land is development the structure of the land is changed and a portion of the soil and vegetation is replace with impervious areas including roads, carparks, paving, buildings, hard sealed driveways etc. The increase of built up areas results in less rainfall infiltration into the soil and ultimately groundwater aquifers, it also increases the volume and speed of stormwater runoff.

The City is responsible for managing the local drainage network, which includes constructing local road drainage systems, maintainance of drainage infrastructure and assessing land development proposals for stormwater management. Development proposals are assessed using the City's Subdivision & Development Guidelines.

For more information on subdivision - please visit the Subdivision & Development web page.

City Documents

Other links

Policy - Upgrade and Maintenance of Watercourses and Drainage Channels

Stormwater Management Strategy

Subdivision & Development Guidelines

 Water WA - Stormwater

Stormwater Management

Site conditions

The City of Albany has a wide variety of soil conditions and terrain, including:

  • Clays
  • cemented lateritic gravels (ironstone)
  • fine silty sands
  • gravels
  • granite

The types of soils and site conditions will affect the type of stormwater management required for a particular area. Sites can vary significantly and even when sand is encountered it is often not especially deep.

soil

Managing stormwater in existing built lots

house

The City of Albany receives many enquiries from the community regarding stormwater disposal, where the responsibility lies if stormwater is entering their property, and what to do if they have a problem.

There are typically three main issues:

  1. Stormwater from one property collecting and then being dispersed onto a neighbouring property
  2. Stormwater flowing naturally across a lot and into adjacent properties; and 
  3. Stormwater entering the property from the Local Authorities infrastructure, such as roads or drains.

For more information on what you can do, see the City's Stormwater Disposal Information Sheet.

Managing stormwater for a new development

When creating any impervious area stormwater management for that lot needs to be considered.

For residential builds a stormwater plan needs to be included when submitting a building application. For lots with impervious soils stormwater detention is required. 

Stormwater management methods can include:

  • soakwells* or drainage pits
  • leach drains*
  • rainwater tanks

these methods are to be discharged into to City's system where available.

*Infiltration methods will require a soil analysis report to ensure they are suitable for the soil type on the lot.

For further information see the City' Stormwater Detention on your Property Information Sheet.

Commercial or industrial developments are required to provide a stormwater drainage system, plans are to be submitted with the planning application.

For information on subdivision stormwater management - please visit the Subdivision & Development web page.

    Stormwater Network Mapping

     

    Drainage Easement Information

    Drainage easements provide a designated portion of land for drainage infrastructure, and gives the beneficiary (generally the City of Albany or a neighbouring property) rights to maintain and install infrastructure within. Easements generally require the burdened property owner to give up certain rights, such as building permanent structures within the easement to allow for proper function of the system and unimpeded maintenance access.

    Easements and utilities are almost always located close to lot boundaries and within building setbacks where development of a building or ancillary structure is already restricted or limited under urban planning codes and regulations.

    Easement

    See the following information sheet for:

    • Negotiating private easements
    • Restrictions regarding drainage easements, and
    • Permitted structures.

    Drainage Easement Information Sheet

     

    Connecting to the City's Stormwater Infrastructure

    A permit from the City is required for connections to the City’s stormwater drainage infrastructure. Please include a plan of the proposed connection with the applications form.

    Important things to note about connecting:

    1. The connection is to be inspected by a City of Albany Officer prior to backfilling
    2. Dial before you dig must be completed prior to construction
    3. A connection permit is only valid for a period of three (3) months from date of issue

    Don't forget to  Dial before you dig  

          

    Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

    River Water

    What is Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)?                                                          

    Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a set of principles that can be applied to sustainably manage water, providing opportunities for the development industry, local government and their communities to achieve more liveable cities with vibrant and healthy waterways. Water by Design

     

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