OVERSEAS interest is already active in an innovative surface drainage system developed in Cairns, even before the first one is built.

Peach Surface Drainage System has drawn interest from the international England-based drainage system manufacturer GATIC, whose system is used to drain most of the major airport runways around the world.

Bryan Peach, who has worked as a building consultant in Cairns for 40 years, has invented a system that removes water quickly and more efficiently from flat land surfaces. It is a finalist in the Tropical Innovation Awards to be announced next week.

"This will especially benefit sporting stadiums and clubs in wetter climates that need to make decisions on when to water their fields, especially in the rainy season," Mr Peach said.

"The promise of rain can create uncertainty.

"A drainage system that can remove water quickly will take out the guesswork and mean less down time through cancellations.

"With more control over drainage and moisture content, sports administrators can ensure playing fields are softer and safer for players.

Mr Peach said all builders experienced drainage problems on flat building sites.

"This has evolved into developing a solution for more efficient surface drainage for large grassed areas such as sporting fields or other large relatively flat grassed surfaces," he said.

Mr Peach said the design was unique in that the stainless steel fluming was dovetailed into the topsoil and was permanently locked in so it would not need concrete reinforcement to prevent the fluming from floating or lifting towards the surface. The system can be installed as a surface system or a sub-surface one.

"The surface system is designed to be compatible with commercially-available 150mm-wide grates that can be installed at surface level allowing water to directly enter the fluming," he said.

"The underground system will let water filter through the grassed area and drain through the mesh cover to enter the drainage system."

Mr Peach said the system would be completely unseen below the ground and allow for mowing and on-field activities without any grating protruding through the surface.

In both systems, the design allows light machinery to cross over without damaging or deforming the fluming, he said.

"Both designs are suitable for draining water into holding tanks where deep drainage is not possible and link in with a water recycling system," Mr Peach said .

"The system allows for the recycling of irrigation water and any soluble fertilisers that may have been used."

The Peach Surface Drainage System has been shortlisted for the People's Choice category in Cairns Regional Council's Tropical Innovation Awards for 2012.

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