On-site Stormwater Detention (OSD) is a way of ensuring that changes in land

use do not cause more downstream flooding: both in the local drainage
system immediately downstream and along the creeks and rivers further
downstream.

Why Does development increase flooding downstream?

Most urban flooding is caused when the volume of stormwater runoff (which is what we call rainwater
after it lands on the ground or other sealed surfaces and starts to flow downhill) is too large for the
drainage pipes or watercourses to carry. The extra stormwater breaks out of the pipe or watercourse
and flows through adjoining low lying areas. This may cause considerable damage to both property
and buildings.

The most common changes in land use in this catchment are the change from rural uses to urban
development and from low density to higher density development. These changes affect runoff in two
ways:-

1. the increase in sealed areas means that the volume of runoff 2. better drainage causes quicker
is greater runoff

picture of roads/paving picture stormwater drains/gutter with water

This means that there is a greater volume of runoff delivered to the drains and creeks in a shorter
time, which results in higher flow rates and higher flood levels downstream.

What is On-site Stormwater Detention?

On-site Stormwater Detention (OSD) is a way of ensuring that

changes in land use do not cause more downstream flooding: both in
the local drainage system immediately downstream and along the
creeks and rivers further downstream.

OSD restricts the rate that stormwater leaves a site to a discharge

In this system, water is stored on the
grassed area and in a tank
underground.
which will not cause increased flooding anywhere downstream. It
involves temporarily storing (detaining) the excess stormwater on the
site.
OSD is not the only way to ensure that developments do not make
flooding worse, but in an already-urbanised catchment, it is often the
only practical alternative.

There are approximately 1000 OSD systems installed in the Upper

Parramatta River catchment. The Upper Parramatta River
Catchment Trust employs a Stormwater Inspector to inspect these
OSD systems and advises owners on their maintenance.

History of OSD in the Upper Parramatta River Catchment

When the Trust was established in 1989, after a series of major floods, there was concern
that the magnitude of the existing flooding problem was continuing to grow. The OSD policy
was instituted to stop flooding getting worse. This means that when flood mitigation works
are undertaken to deal with the existing flooding problems, the solution is permanent.

The OSD policy was formulated by the Development Control Working Party which includes
staff from the Trust and the four local councils in this catchment. The Working Party meets
every 3-4 months to review the OSD policy and its operation. The Upper Parramatta River
Catchment Trust carried out computer studies in 1991 to determine catchment-wide OSD
parameters. The first edition of the Trust's OSD Handbook was then prepared and a
common OSD policy for the catchment was adopted by all four local councils in November
1991. Since then, OSD has been imposed as a condition on most development consents.

Components of an OSD System

There are different types of OSD systems, but they all have the following components: -

 Discharge control pit

 Storage
 Collection network

Discharge Control Pit

The discharge control pit is located at the lowest point on the site and all flows leaves the site through
this pit. The pit contains an orifice (circular hole) in a stainless steel plate fixed to the side wall. The
orifice is sized to limit discharge from the site to the maximum permissible rate.

Storage

The Storage can be located on the surface, underground or on a roof. It detains the excess runoff that
cannot immediately pass through the orifice. The storage fills by overflow from the discharge control
pit and empties quickly though the pit once the rain eases.

Collection Network

The collection network consists of gutters, pits, pipes and surface grading. It delivers all site runoff to
the discharge pit. The collection network must carry all run-off: even in the event of a 100-year storm.
Run-off from upstream properties must be diverted around the OSD storage.
What would happen if there was no OSD?

If there was no OSD: -

 there would be more frequent surcharge of local drains

 there would be further bank erosion of local creeks
 downstream flooding would get steadily worse
 completed flood mitigation works would become less effective
 the community would suffer increased flooding
 local councils would be forced to spend more on further flood works
 developers would have passed on the cost of dealing with the increased run-off to the rest of
the community or council

The benefits of OSD?

OSD ensures that development does not
worsen downstream flooding. It solves the
problem of extra runoff at its source when
development occurs. OSD also avoids the
difficulty of predicting where future
developments will occur. It is a user-pays
system, so the cost will not be passed on to the
rest of the community. As well, OSD preserves
the effectiveness of existing flood mitigation and
drainage works. OSD may also avoid the need
for upgrading downstream drains.
The disadvantages of OSD?
OSD requires higher construction standards than
are usual for stormwater and can add to the cost of
developments. OSD systems need regular
inspections by councils and the Trust. It can often be
difficult to get owners to maintain their OSD systems
and there is a need for ongoing education and
changes in long-held community attitudes. The
effect of the individual OSD system is small, but the
cumulative effect is great.

What are the alternatives to OSD?

Possible alternatives to OSD include:

1. In green fields developments, community flood retarding basins on public land are generally
preferred to OSD on individual lots. The disadvantages of these basins in the catchment are
that use of land is restricted and there are very few suitable sites available.
2. Re-developments or infill developments in already urbanised areas are the usual form of
development in the Upper Parramatta River catchment. Some options are: infiltration
trenches; upgrading the hydraulic capacity of pipes, creeks and bridges; and small flood
basins on private land. Upgrading downstream creeks, pipes and bridges is very expensive,
may harm the environment and aggravates downstream flooding. Basins on private land can
be ugly, difficult to maintain and pose safety concerns. Infiltration trenches can become
ineffective due to surface clogging and soil heave can damage nearby buildings.

In many already-urbanised areas, OSD is the only practical alternative. A majority of local councils in
the Sydney region now have an OSD policy.