HDPE storage tanks enable rainwater harvesting and reuse in an industrial area

Due to climate change, modern urban environments are now facing the challenges of increased rainfall, flooding and water scarcity. To mitigate the effects of extreme weather events, advanced stormwater management solutions are needed — capable of not only collecting and transporting extra water but also enabling its efficient reuse. This case study explores a tailored rainwater harvesting and reuse system for a road maintenance depot, developed and implemented by Pipelife Austria. The recently installed solution has allowed the depot to enhance its operational sustainability while safeguarding its infrastructure against intense weather conditions.

_{Dealing with heavy spells: Understanding urban water management}

Increased soil sealing has made intensive rainfalls a risk for urban environments, as sudden large volumes of surface runoff are more likely to lead to flooding. To prevent flood damage, cities, municipalities and businesses need effective solutions for collecting, retaining and draining rainwater in a targeted manner. 

A professionally designed local stormwater system can effectively prevent overflows and relieve central drainage networks. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to rainwater management — each project requires individual planning and designing to meet on-site conditions and customer requirements.

_{Tailored stormwater solution for a road maintenance depot} 

A road maintenance depot in Upper Austria was struggling to efficiently drain rainwater from the large roof areas on its premises, thus protecting the on-site infrastructure during periods of heavy rain. 

The depot also sought to harvest and reuse rainwater for vehicle cleaning and brine production, reducing water waste and operational costs to maximize resource efficiency. 

For the implementation of this project, the road maintenance department turned to Pipelife Austria, outlining its specific requirements. In response, Pipelife’s team developed a fully customized solution designed to meet the project’s unique demands. 

_{Optimizing storage capacity, facilitating reuse}

Using a site plan and data on sealed surfaces in the depot area, Pipelife engineers designed a customized storage sewer system of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) spiral-wound profiles.

The solution consists of two interconnected HDPE tanks with a stiffness class of SN8, each providing a storage capacity of 75 m³ — resulting in a total volume of 150 m³. Due to their high structural rigidity, the tanks can withstand heavy loads, and the areas above them remain accessible for heavy traffic, a critical requirement for the depot.

Each tank element has an internal diameter of 2.6 meters and a length of 15.3 meters. For easier inspection and maintenance, manhole access points in DN1000 with integrated aluminum ladders were installed.

To ensure the harvested rainwater can be reused, the storage tank was equipped with multiple DN200 connections, a sump pump for controlled water extraction, and connections for the extraction pipe.

The prefabricated tanks, weighing 8,000 kg each, were transported to the site in Upper Austria using specialized transport vehicles. A crane was then used to position the tanks into the prepared excavation pit, allowing for swift and efficient installation.

_{Water storage systems for every project}

HDPE storage systems offer a way to store large volumes of rainwater, ensure its discharge in a controlled manner, and/or enable reuse.

Pipelife Austria’s portfolio includes water storage solutions to meet various project needs. These range from PP heavy-duty pipes with internal diameters of 800 or 1,000 millimeters to HDPE tanks with diameters of up to 3,000 millimeters. These modular systems can be customized to accommodate virtually any storage capacity requirements and suit highly specific project conditions. Thanks to high resistance to chemicals, corrosion and UV radiation, Pipelife’s systems can also be used in demanding environments.

Since selecting and properly sizing the right systems for specific requirements can be highly complex — especially in large-scale commercial or industrial areas — Pipelife Austria also offers expert support in design and planning.