Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD)

Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD)

A plain English explanation of this ACT planning and property term.

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Legal Meaning

Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) means the integration of water management measures into development design to capture, reuse, treat, and manage water resources while reducing stormwater impacts and supporting sustainable urban environments.

Plain English

WSUD manages stormwater as part of site and landscape design. It seeks to reduce runoff, improve water quality, support infiltration and reuse water through measures such as rainwater tanks, permeable areas, swales and raingardens. Detailed drainage and utility requirements still apply.