When energy-from-waste (EfW) power plants are commissioned, the race is on to make them operational as quickly as possible, while maintaining a design that will stand the test of time. These buildings are among the most demanding environments a rainwater system can serve: with roofs 50m or more above ground, corrosive conditions, heavily serviced interiors and critical services that are difficult to access once the plant is running.

The world is facing a water challenge, but it isn’t one of supply. It’s one of management, and the key decisions we make at the design stage.

Rainwater drainage has historically been downplayed — specified late, resolved quickly and rarely revisited. That approach has quickly become impractical. The combination of climate volatility,