StormSlim^®

In a recent home renovation, APD’s StormSlim^® tanks proved to be the perfect fit for a difficult site.

The term ‘stormwater’ has taken on an ominous new meaning in New Zealand after Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc across the country. Many Kiwis have been left wondering whether their homes really are safe from severe weather events brought on by climate change.

In the past, installing a rainwater tank has provided a water source for the garden. But as Natasha MacMillan recently discovered, stormwater tanks can also provide property-saving extra protection during extreme rain events.

Stormwater tanks come in all shapes and sizes but finding the space for them can often be a challenge. That was the situation Natasha MacMillan faced when she recently renovated her Auckland home. “We wanted to include water tanks as the cost of connecting to mains stormwater was prohibitive.” Natasha says, “The council was comfortable with a tank solution, but the above-ground options were all really bulky and we didn’t want a giant tank intruding into the garden. So when our architect suggested StormSlim^®, it was the perfect solution. ”

A major factor in choosing above-ground tanks was the ground itself. “The site was really rocky and it would have cost a small fortune to dynamite.” explains project manager, Dean Irving of DNA Construction. “Not having to excavate saved time and cost. StormSlim^® tanks were an ideal solution as they can be integrated with the exterior cladding or fencing by fixing them to the galvanised support frames. That means you can easily cover the tanks without the risk of penetrating the tank itself.”

APD’s StormSlim^® stormwater detention and retention system is designed to be positioned in narrow spaces, such as along a fenceline, or between buildings. The tanks are available in a range of sizes and colours to blend into virtually any location. For Natasha’s build, her architect specified 3,000 and 5,000 litre tanks to be installed against the house, but for drainlayer, Sean Hoddle of Hodz Drainage, there were a couple of unforeseen issues to contend with. “Access was difficult, ” Sean says. “the plan had been to put them right up against the house but because there was a window in that space, we ended up putting the slab along the fence and ran the piping through a garden bed and underneath the house.” The thinness of StormSlim^® tanks gives more options for placement and this was an advantage in this situation.

“We did end up varying the location due to some of the constraints we faced around window placement and wall space on the original design.” Natasha says. “The StormSlim^® tanks are all the same depth and the height of an average fence, so they form one continuous shape. Having the fencing kit meant we could easily fence around the tanks so they’re not visible.”

“We’ve installed a lot of StormSlim^® tanks and never had any quality or performance issues.” Sean says. “Clients love the fact that being able to hide the tanks means they don’t affect the views and the slim profile gives you heaps of options.”

“Natasha’s StormSlim^® tanks turned out really good and look fantastic.” Dean Irving says. “We put the railings around the tank and fencing to match the house so it’s just like part of the house.”

For Natasha, the new tanks arrived just in time, saving her property from potential flood damage. “Even with this incredibly wet summer, we had no surface water.” She says. “We couldn’t be happier with the result.”

To find out more about ADP StormSlim^® tanks, visit apd.co.nz/product/stormslim/