ServicesEnvironmental Solutions
Take control of environmental challenges with real solutions.
Development Nous provides innovative and sustainable environmental solutions tailored to your project. Our multi-disciplinary team knows how to cost effectively deliver integrated solutions that are customised to the specific needs of your site. We don’t just focus on what will make a difference today – with the latest technology and climate change knowledge, we help you plan more effectively for tomorrow.
No matter the challenge – whether it stormwater or soil contamination – Development Nous is committed to providing the ideal solution to safeguard your property investment for the long term.
Stormwater Management Plans and Solutions for Your Development
Having a robust Stormwater Management Plan is essential for our industrial and commercial clients.
With changing climates, more frequent extreme weather events, and an understanding about how activities impact on surface water runoff, we work closely with our clients to design tailored strategies that mitigate risks and enhance resilience, helping your development stand strong in the face of challenges like climate change.
Let our expert civil stormwater engineers assess, design, and implement the right solutions for your development.
Key Challenges in Stormwater Engineering
Stormwater challenges are best tackled through collaboration between engineers, planners, policymakers, and the community, working together to create effective and sustainable solutions for everyone.
The following are some key issue to consider when thinking about your new development:
Rapid urban development leads to more impervious surfaces, increasing stormwater runoff and potentially overwhelming existing drainage systems.
Potential Solutions:
- Early stormwater calculations and on-site stormwater detention, such as tanks and water harvesting systems.
- Reduction of impervious surfaces through smart design, new materials, and technologies, such as permeable pavements (aggregates or pavers) and no-mow lawn solutions for smaller lots.
- Urban tree canopy: Increase tree planting in urban areas to enhance water absorption, provide shade, and improve air quality.
Changing weather patterns are leading to more intense rainfall events, increasing the risk of flooding and challenging the design of stormwater systems.
Potential Solutions:
- Strategic design and future-proofing: Utilize catchment modelling and resilient design practices.
- Stay up to date with research and standards to ensure systems remain effective and adaptable.
Ensuring stormwater runoff does not degrade water quality in the receiving environment is a significant concern, especially in urban areas. We take an integrated approach; our Engineers and Landscape designers working together to provide beautiful solutions that work.
Potential Solutions:
- Integrated infrastructure (blue-green solutions): At-source infrastructure and early treatment, following “The Stormwater Train” approach.
- Landscape solutions: Rain gardens, wetlands, and smart hardscape design.
Adhering to evolving local and national regulations regarding stormwater management can be complex and resource-intensive for many of our clients. We offer on-going support to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory standards.
Potential Solutions:
- Staying up to date with current trends, specifications, and standards to ensure compliance and efficiency.
Many stormwater systems are aging and need upgrades or replacements to meet current standards and handle increased flow.
Potential Solutions:
- Collaborate with authorities to ensure future-proofing and strategic planning for our communities and developments.
With an in-house stormwater modelling team we can determine the impact your development might have on existing infrastructure and the broader environment.
Coordinating stormwater management with broader land use and urban planning initiatives is essential, but it can be challenging. Our multi-disciplinary team tale a collaborative approach to ensure integrated planning that aligns stormwater management with your land use goals.
Potential Solutions:
- Collaborative approach with all disciplines to ensure integrated planning.
- Early collaboration to align stormwater management with land use goals.
Stormwater management isn’t just about preventing flooding. Balancing stormwater management with the preservation of local ecosystems and biodiversity is becoming increasingly important; we can deliver integrated “nature-based” stormwater solutions, like constructed wetlands.
Potential Solutions:
- Getting the right people on the job: If we don’t have the expertise in-house, we find it.
- Regular collaboration with the right experts to ensure the best ecological outcomes.
Limited funding and resources for stormwater infrastructure projects can hinder the implementation of effective solutions.
Potential Solutions:
- Incentives for developers to encourage investment in stormwater management.
- Strategic and future planning: Bringing developers, professionals, and policy and regulatory planners together for collaborative decision-making.
Keeping up with the latest technologies and innovative practices in stormwater management can be a challenge for some municipalities.
Potential Solutions:
- Getting the right people on the job: If we don’t have the expertise in-house, we find it.
- Staying up to date with industry standards and new technologies to ensure effective and modern solutions.
There is often a lack of public understanding about the importance of stormwater management, which can hinder community support for necessary projects.
We can help engage stakeholders and the community early in the process to build awareness and support for your project.
Potential Solutions:
- Engage stakeholders and the community early in the process to build awareness and support.
- Use infographics and ensure easy access to information to improve understanding.
- Promote community education and encourage active participation in stormwater management initiatives.
Dealing With Contaminated Land?
Part of the subdivision or development process might include managing potential soil contamination; our team can undertake site investigations and provide accurate soil tests that help you stay compliant with environmental regulations. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way, offering clear results that give you peace of mind and confidence in your next steps.
We partner with the right organisations to make soil testing simple and stress-free, ensuring your property meets New Zealand’s National Environmental Standard for Contaminated Soils (NESCS).
Talk to our development team about what might be needed for your site.
Ensure Success with Project Management
Ready to turn your ideas into real results? Use the expertise and nous of our team—talk to us today for top-tier guidance on the best direction in feasibility planning and project management. Let’s make your vision a success!
