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The Council is taking proactive steps to manage surface flooding in flood-prone areas by installing ACO StormBrixx® systems, an innovative underground stormwater management solution.

Designed to capture, store, and slowly release excess rainwater, StormBrixx® units help reduce surface water runoff during heavy rainfall events. By improving the drainage capacity below ground, they ease pressure on existing infrastructure and help prevent pooling or localised flooding on streets, parks, and other public spaces.

The Council’s Transportation Delivery Manager, Steve Guys, says the new system is already showing benefits. “We’re using StormBrixx® in areas that have experienced repeat flooding in the past to help reduce disruption for residents, protect property, and improve road safety during and after storms. It’s a smart solution that adds extra capacity underground without the need for major surface changes.”

The system works by creating an underground tank made of interlocking plastic units that temporarily hold rainwater before releasing it slowly into the ground or stormwater network, helping to prevent sudden overloads.

A recent installation in Durrell Way, Rolleston, is a local example where the technology has been put to work. HEB Construction Supervisor, Jordan Moore, says the installation process also comes with practical on-site benefits.

“One of the key advantages of the StormBrixx® system is the shallower trench depth, usually around 1.2 to 1.5 metres, which means we don’t need trench shields. That improves safety for our crew, speeds up installation, and helps reduce overall project costs.”

The Council will monitor the performance of these systems during storm events and assess opportunities to expand their use in other high-risk areas. The intention is to roll them out across the wider network, starting with areas of greatest need as funding becomes available.

Watch our short video below to see the coordinated efforts behind the scenes of the recent flooding event. From emergency response through to long-term prevention strategies like the StormBrixx® solution. It was a collective effort to get Selwyn’s roads open and our communities connected again.

Last modified: 29 Aug 2025 11:42am