Are you building a pool?
During the frosty 1°C mornings, the ‘pool’ at the Glenbrook rounadabout may remind us of our long overdue tropical getaways, but it does a lot more than that.
We asked Dr Chris Wilcox and Gemma Wadworth of the Auckland System Management environmental team to explain this unique feature on site.
“Construction of the Glenbrook Roundabout involves a significant amount of earthworks to raise the ground level up to seven metres high and allow the roundabout to take shape.
“Where there are open areas of earthworks, stormwater runoff from rainfall has the potential to move sediement on site.
“In greater amounts, this could have adverse environmental impacts on neighbouring properties, farms and local streams.
“The project team has a number of erosion and sediment controls in place to minimise sediment movement.
“This includes the ‘pool’, which is really a temporary Sediment Retention Pond designed to let sediment settle from the stormwater runoff, and minimise sediment discharged from the site during construction.
“Sediment Retention Ponds are unique to each construction site – they’re created based on the site area, soil type, slope and more.
“Chemical treatment of the water is undertaken, similar to drinking and wastewater treatment plants, to improve settlement of the tiny clay particles.
“The clarity and pH of the water in the pond is regularly monitored to ensure it meets the standards outlined in best practice guidelines and the resource consents.
“After treatment through the sediment retention pond, the water is then discharged East to a stream linked to the Whangapouri Creek, north of Paerata Rise.
“Once the permanent stormwater wetland is constructed, the temporary pond will be filled in and the land reinstated.”
Oh but before you decide you’re brave enough to take a mid winter dip – we should probably let you know this...
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