Stormwater overflow system wins IPENZ award

A student from the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) has won the Ray Meyer medal for Excellence in Student Design from the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ). Anthony Muir designed a water attenuation system that manages peak stormwater flows from extreme rain events.

Testing has shown that the system delivers better environmental performance than competing systems, with considerable cost savings. When used in new residential developments, the savings can be up to $500,000 for the developer, with lower ongoing infrastructure costs for ratepayers as it needs almost no maintenance. The system could have international as well as local applications.

“My project could very well be the catalyst to reduce the cost of housing in New Zealand,” said Muir, an architectural engineer for the family business. “I am very excited that my work has been recognised by IPENZ and, in receiving the Ray Meyer medal for Excellence in Student Design, I acknowledge WelTec’s School of Engineering for their teaching, professionalism and commitment to students.”

WelTec’s Head of Engineering, Graham Carson, noted, “Demand for civil engineers has never been higher, particularly with the large government investment in infrastructure such as Transmission Gully and the rebuild of Christchurch. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is practical as well as theoretical and meets the growing demand from the engineering profession for skilled and practical graduates who can hit the ground running.”

Muir is now teaming up with his father to prepare his patented new system for the market. Meanwhile, WelTec has been awarded additional funding to meet the government’s call for more engineers, with 39 more full-time places available on diploma and degree engineering programs.

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