The principles of Water Sensitive Design are threefold: Minimise the impact of development on the natural environment; Work with the natural land form as closely as possible; and Minimise pollution of the land and waterways. When applying these principles to small or large urban developments, there are a number of engineering features and stormwater solutions which can be incorporated into the development design to accommodate or attenuate water flow in a built environment. These include the use of Detention Tanks to store excess rainwater and allow gradual release, or Retention Tanks to retain and reuse excess water whilst managing the base flow of receiving streams and waterways. In larger developments, raingardens and swales may be used in common areas to treat run-off from roadways, providing a dual purpose of function and aesthetic.
