Community Perceptions and Knowledge of Modern Stormwater Treatment Assets

Abstract

Modern stormwater treatment assets are a form of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) features that aim to reduce the volumes of sediment, nutrients and gross pollutants discharged into receiving waterways. Local governments and developers in urban areas are installing and maintaining a large number of stormwater treatment assets, with the aim of improving urban runoff water quality. Many of these assets take up significant urban space and are highly visible and as a result, community acceptance is essential for effective WSUD design and implementation. However, community perceptions and knowledge about these assets have not been widely studied. This study used a survey to investigate community perceptions and knowledge about stormwater treatment assets in Brisbane, Australia. The results suggest that there is limited community knowledge of these assets, but that communities notice them and value their natural features when well-maintained. This study suggests that local governments may be able to better inform residents about the importance of these assets, and that designing for multiple purposes may improve community acceptance and support for the use of Council funds to maintain them.

Mapping Public-Planner Conflicts in SUDS Implementation Using Cultural Dimensions—A Case Study

“…Common themes were also found among survey respondents' perceived drawbacks of SUDS. Concerns about litter, pests, and maintenance tempered the generally positive impressions of the green space in the studies by Williams et al [67] and Zamanifard et al [69]. The perception of health and safety risks was also highlighted by Jarvie et al [68] and Bastien et al [70].…”

“…Jarvie et al [68] addressed the issue of willingness to pay for ponds, finding that the economic benefits of ponds outweighed the expense of maintaining them but that the benefits were often not well communicated. Zamanifard et al [69] found that the public was generally positive about the bioretention basins they were presented with in their area, but that awareness of their function was low to the point that fewer than half of the respondents could identify their purpose. Lack of awareness lead to the de-prioritization of maintenance in the long term.…”

Implementing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems: Themes of Cultural Conflicts and Public Resistance—A Case Study

“…Public perceptions of SUDS and other stormwater management measures have been extensively studied. Survey respondents in the UK and US have been found to appreciate the green space and beauty of well-maintained stormwater ponds [25][26][27] but may not necessarily be aware of or prioritize their hydrologic functions [25,27,28]. In the context of river restoration, Nassauer et al [29] found that expectations of aesthetics may not always be compatible with hydrologic performance.…”