STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Box Clever
with AquaCell Systems

Intelligent Solutions for Below

Below Ground
Ground Projects
Projects
 Stormwater
Management Systems

Temporary storage Versatile, effective, reliable

or infiltration solutions – from OSMA
SUDS policy aims to achieve this OSMA Stormwater Management Systems,
in two ways: including AquaCell systems – AquaCell
Temporary storage of excess flows, and new AquaCell Lite – are now making
so that immediate outflow into streams a major contribution to SUDS, and to
and rivers is limited reducing the risks posed to developed
The need for Sustainable
areas by sudden major downpours.
Drainage [SUDS] Efficient soakaways to infiltrate
When any previously undeveloped site stormwater into the ground
is built on and paved over, water run-off
Box systems –
from the newly impermeable surface
select with care
increases by up to 80%. This can
Rising rainfall levels, and increased
place excessive pressure on existing
focus on SUDS compliance, have led
watercourses and local drainage
to a sharp increase in the use of modular
infrastructure. So when storms bring
box systems to create underground
sudden, unusually heavy rainfall, there
structures for infiltration or temporary
can be localised flooding and damage
storage of stormwater.
to property.
However, not all currently available
Government and the Environment
systems have the proven performance
Agencies are now promoting the use of
characteristics necessary for the wide
Sustainable Drainage Systems [SUDS]
range of complex underground geocellular
to restrict run-off to a level equivalent
applications (see page 7).
to that of a natural green field site.
With OSMA AquaCell systems, however,
the required strength and hydraulic
capabilities have been verified by
independent testing.

2
The AquaCell® Principle

The AquaCell systems are a fully tried and
tested modular technique for managing
excessive rainfall by creating an
underground structure as either a
temporary storage tank or a soakaway:
AquaCell
for trafficked locations (page 4), and
NEW AquaCell Lite
for landscaped and non-trafficked
areas (page 5)
The lightweight polypropylene, high void
units are securely linked together using
special clips and shear connectors and
can be assembled quickly on site into
whatever configuration suits each specific
location. AquaCell geocellular systems
also allow ‘brick-bonding’, which can
give extra stability, without the need for
additional connector pieces.
Benefiting the community
and the environment
AquaCell systems contribute the
following benefits:
Significantly reduced flooding risk
Controlled, reduced-volume release of
stormwater into existing sewer systems
or watercourses
Recharging of local groundwater
(if infiltration/soakaway application)
Aerobic purification to improve water
run-off quality
Sustainable, cost effective management
of the water environment
Supporting SUDS – and
facilitating planning approval
The proven qualities and performance of
the AquaCell system not only support the
achievement of SUDS, they can also help
reinforce and enhance planning applications,
and enable development to proceed.
The AquaCell units have:
160mm pre-formed socket
95% void
and are supplied with:
Shear connectors: to secure units
together vertically
Clips: to secure units together horizontally

Wrapped for infiltration

or storage
The complete assembly is wrapped in
either geotextile or a geomembrane
(wrapped with a protective fleece).
For pervious soils, the geotextile allows
0.4m

infiltration of stormwater into the

surrounding ground. Where the ground is
impervious (e.g. clay) or where infiltration
is not desirable, the geomembrane
encapsulated assembly holds stormwater
in temporary storage until local drainage
flows can accept it for normal disposal.

1m

0.5m

3
 AquaCell
For trafficked sites
OSMA AquaCell is ideal for areas subject to regular and
heavy traffic loading, and particularly for larger projects.
Specifiers, developers and contractors
can now choose the right product to suit
each situation. The original AquaCell (blue
unit) has already proved its versatility and
functional performance advantages in
large projects designed to satisfy
demanding criteria for sustainable
drainage. These include:
Large scale 7,000 unit soakaway under
airport car park
2,000 unit storage tank in contaminated
land, a former power station site
1,400 unit storage tank to store run-off
from expanding retail park
In locations where traffic loading is NOT
anticipated, AquaCell Lite (green unit)
should be selected (see opposite).
4
Typical applications
In addition to features and benefits
applicable to BOTH systems those
specifically applicable to traffickable
AquaCell (blue unit) include: Industrial/commercial areas
BBA approved and can meet technical
requirements of NHBC
Proven vertical loading capacity:
56 tonnes/m2
Proven lateral loading capacity:
7.75 tonnes/m2
For installations both up to and
Residential developments
exceeding 1.5 metres
Distinctive BLUE colour
– easy to identify
Designed for all configurations and
applications, including both shallow and
deeper installations:
– Ideal for all sizes of project including
major attenuation schemes Roads
AquaCell systems:
features and benefits
Applicable to BOTH systems
Suitable for both soakaway
and storage tanks
Modular: lightweight and versatile
95% void ratio: holds 190 litres
of water per unit
AquaCell
Part No: 6LB100
NEW AquaCell Lite
For landscaped and non-trafficked sites

Typical applications

OSMA AquaCell Lite has been designed and developed

for landscaped and other traffic-free areas where heavy
loading capability is not required.

This now enables specifiers, developers In addition to features and benefits

and contractors to choose the right
Domestic gardens
product to suit each situation.
The new AquaCell Lite (green unit) offers
all the proven installation versatility and
functional performance advantages of the
original AquaCell (blue unit – see opposite),
but has been specifically engineered
to provide a cost-effective option for
low-loaded locations.
Grassed and leisure areas
applicable to BOTH systems those
specifically applicable to AquaCell Lite
(green unit) include:
Proven vertical loading capacity:
17.5 tonnes/m2
Proven lateral loading capacity:
4.0 tonnes/m2
For installation depth (to base of units)
of up to 1.5 metres maximum

Built-in ‘hand holes’ for easy

carrying/handling

Distinctive GREEN colour

– easy to identify

Specifically designed for restricted

depth, low-loaded, landscaped sites:
– Ideal for smaller projects
Roundabouts Note: NOT suitable for locations subject to high watertable

Safer option than open or above

ground storage structures

Easy to install and handle

Allows ‘brick-bonding’ assembly for

extra stability: no extra adaptors needed

Proven clip and peg system

to secure units

Full range of ancillaries: including silt

trap and adaptors (see page 7)

AquaCell Lite
Part No: 6LB050

5
 System Design and
Selector Installation Guidance
Note: This page includes summary guidance only.
For full design and installation procedures, see Stormwater
Management Design and Installation Manual or visit
www.intelligentosma.co.uk

The following will help you determine
which AquaCell system is correct
for each specific project:
Will the site be subject
to traffic loadings?
YES NO
Installation and cover depth
After deciding which AquaCell system
is correct for the project location (using
the System Selector – left), see the
following Table for the recommended
maximum installation depths and
minimum cover depths.

MINIMUM cover depth

Use AquaCell Location type AquaCell AquaCell Lite
(blue unit) Landscaped/non-trafficked areas 0.5m 0.3m(2)
Car parks, vehicle up to 2500kg (1)

gross mass, with AquaCell system:

Does the site have
– up to 3 AquaCell units wide in trench 0.6m n/a
a high water table?
– more than 3 AquaCell units wide 0.75m n/a

YES NO MAXIMUM depth to base of unit 4.1m (3)

1.5m
(1)
For specific advice on cover depths for heavier
loadings/HGV applications, contact Wavin Technical
Design on 01249 766655
Use AquaCell (2)
0.3m is minimum depth for AquaCell Lite, although 0.5m
(blue unit) cover is recommended to prevent accidental damage.
If construction plant is to be used on site during
installation, please see Installation guidance on page 7
(3)
Allowable maximum depth to base of bottom layer of units
is dependent on soil type, angle of shearing resistance,
Will the tank be MORE loadings, and groundwater level. In poor ground
THAN 12m across in conditions a shallower depth may apply.

both width and length? Hydraulic and

structural design
YES NO
Both AquaCell and AquaCell Lite have
identical dimensions: 1m x 0.5m x 0.4m,
Use AquaCell with a nominal void ratio of 95%.
(blue unit) Hydraulic calculations are accordingly the
same for both systems. Structural design
requires careful consideration of loading
Will the tank be MORE factors specific to each location.
THAN 3 units deep? (see Geocellular structures: important
design considerations on page 7).
YES NO

Use AquaCell Use AquaCell

(blue unit) Lite (green unit)

6

Geocellular structures:
important design
considerations (see Note*)
To guarantee structural integrity, any
underground structure must be strong
enough to support the loads to which
it will be subjected without any
unacceptable deflection.
The correct choice of geocellular box
must have appropriate proven top
(vertical) and side (lateral) load bearing
capacity and deflection characteristics
to suit site conditions.
The five key site considerations to be
noted when designing a geocellular
box system are:
1 Depth of cover (see page 6)
2 Soil type
3 Surface finishing
4 Presence of groundwater
5 Type of traffic/loading
5
3
2 1
4
*Note: The combination of these factors effectively
means that the required characteristics of a geocellular
system to be installed under a trafficked location
(for example) will be very different from that under
a landscaped/low-loaded location.
EXAMPLE A: Car park with occasional lorry traffic and
0.6m cover depth. Typically requires minimum vertical
strength of 40 tonnes/m2
EXAMPLE B: Landscaped/non-trafficked location and
0.3m cover depth. Typically requires minimum vertical
strength of 17.5 tonnes/m2
These factors have already been taken into
consideration within the simple selection flow chart
on page 6 for BOTH AquaCell systems.
AquaCell Lite: additional
installation guidance
Due to the special physical properties of
AquaCell Lite, certain precautions are rec-
ommended on site to prevent damage to
the units through excess loading.
Manual assembly
Whilst assembling the tank, it may be
necessary to walk on top of previously
laid units, care should be taken not to
damage the edges of the units.
Construction traffic on site
If construction plant (e.g. excavators
or loaders) are likely to run over the
installation:
MINIMUM protective cover: 500mm
well-compacted granular material
Excavators MUST NOT exceed
14 tonnes. Compaction plant not to
exceed 2,300kg per metre width
HGVs MUST NOT be allowed to run
over installed AquaCell Lite units

Backfilling
When backfilling AquaCell Lite installations:
Machines placing the material must be
Ask Now
located OFF the units
For further information
Only light compaction should be
For product literature applied to the material

CALL: 01249 766333 If Type 1 sub-base (or similar) material over

AquaCell Lite units requires compaction:
For comprehensive
information online:
VISIT: www.intelligentosma.co.uk
for further information about AquaCell products,
applications and the needs of sustainable drainage
VISIT: www.wavin.co.uk
for the complete OSMA product catalogue
First layer should be 300mm thick
before any compaction
NO vibratory mechanism should be
used for compacting this first layer
MAXIMUM roller size: 2,300kg per
metre width

Technical advice Ancillaries and Adaptors

CALL: 01249 766655 All ancillaries and adaptors available for use
with AquaCell can be used with the new
Arrange a meeting AquaCell Lite system, except the 225mm
CALL: 01249 766369 Flange Adaptor (6LB106). The 150mm
Flange Adaptor (6LB104) should only be
used when constructing an air vent.

7
New solutions for
stormwater management

Meeting your needs

OSMA solutions for stormwater management projects, developed
by Wavin Plastics Limited, forms part of a comprehensive range
of plastic systems to provide intelligent solutions for all building,
construction and utilities programmes.
These include:
Above Ground Projects
OSMA Rainwater systems
OSMA Soil & Waste systems
Plumbing & Heating Projects
OSMA Flexible Plumbing systems
OSMA Underfloor Heating systems
Below Ground Projects
OSMA Below Ground Drainage systems
OSMA Water Management systems
OSMA Ducting systems
Pressure Pipe Projects
OSMA Pressure Pipes for Water
OSMA Pressure Pipes for Gas Water UK Partner – supporting information ISO 9001:2000
and learning in the water industry
All OSMA systems are backed by full
technical literature and project support. Wavin Plastics Limited operates a programme of continuous product development, and therefore reserves the right
to modify or amend the specification of their products without notice. All information in this publication is given in
good faith, and believed to be correct at the time of going to press. However, no responsibility can be accepted for
any errors, omissions or incorrect assumptions. Users should satisfy themselves that products are suitable for the
purpose and application intended.
W0035/07

Wavin Plastics Limited For further information about AquaCell products,

Parsonage Way applications and the needs of sustainable drainage visit:
Chippenham
Wiltshire SN15 5PN www.intelligentosma.co.uk
Tel: 01249 766600
Fax: 01249 443286
Email: info@wavin.co.uk
www.wavin.co.uk