WaterUps Powers 2.1km of Planters at King Street Wharf, Sydney
Sydney’s iconic King Street Wharf has long been a destination for dining, tourism, and waterfront events—but now, it’s also a showcase for sustainable urban greening, thanks to the installation of over2.1 kilometres of planters powered by WaterUps.
Facing the challenging conditions of a high-traffic waterfront promenade—harshafternoonsunlight, wind exposure, and limited access to water infrastructure—King Street Wharf needed a smart solution to keep its green spaces vibrant and low-maintenance. The answer?WaterUps Sub-IrrigationChannels.
A Greener Solution for a Demanding Urban Space
Stretching along the busy promenade, the new plantersrequired a system that could:
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Support healthy plant growth year-round,
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Withstand tough environmental conditions,
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Operate without relying on conventional irrigation systems, and
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Minimise maintenance disruptions inavery activepublic pedestrian zone.
WaterUps Sub-IrrigationChannelswere the perfect fit with over 1,750 used in the project. Installed inside each of the commercial-grade planters, the system creates aperched water table at the base of the planter. This reservoir allows water to be drawn upwards through the soil viacapillary action, delivering consistent moisture right to the root zone—exactly where plants need it.
Key Benefits Realised
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Reduced Maintenance: With water stored beneath the surface, each planter can goweeks without re-watering, reducing labour costs and interruptions to public space usage.
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Water Efficiency: Byeliminating surface evaporation and runoff, the WaterUps system uses up to80% less water than traditional surface irrigation methods.
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Improved Plant Health: Consistent sub-surface hydration helps prevent stress from over- or under-watering, promoting lush, healthy foliage.
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Sustainability Credentials: Manufactured from recycled plastic, WaterUps systems helped King Street Wharf align with Sydney’s broadersustainable urban development goals.
Urban Resilience Meets Green Design
Incorporating WaterUps into King Street Wharf’s landscape architecturewasn’tjust about keeping plants alive—it was about rethinking how cities can integrategreen infrastructure into even the most complex urban environments. With over2.1km of sub-irrigated planters now thriving, the precinct stands as a leading example of how smart design and passive technology can future-proof public spaces.
Ready to Transform Your Urban Landscape?
Whether it isa waterfront promenade, a rooftop terrace, or a busy city street,WaterUps makes greening possible anywhere. Our systems are scalable, sustainable, and proven in the most demanding environments.
Contact us today to find out how WaterUps can support your next urban project.
