International Stormwater - Ireland Edition with Donnacha Tobin from CapCon Engineering

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time.

Key Topics 

• Ty introduces Donnacha Tobin from CapCon Engineering.
• Donnacha explains that stormwater and rainwater drainage professionals are part of a small, connected global industry.
• Donnacha describes CapCon’s work on the new Terminal 5 project at Changi Airport in Singapore.
• The conversation shifts to the importance of designing rainwater systems that can handle extreme daily rainfall, especially for critical infrastructure like airports.
• Donnacha describes how rainwater drainage is often pushed later into the project process.
• Donnacha discusses CapCon’s manufacturer-agnostic approach.
• The conversation covers long-term system performance beyond handover.
• Donnacha explains what is driving better rainwater design, beyond minimum code.
• Ty and Donnacha discuss the shift away from simply conveying water off site and toward holding, harvesting, attenuating, and reusing rainwater where possible.
• Donnacha talks about data centers.
• The discussion moves into international regulations.
• Donnacha reflects on his “accidental stormwater career”.
• Donnacha explains how above-ground drainage decisions affect below-ground stormwater infrastructure.
• Donnacha notes that most people only think about stormwater when flooding occurs.
• The conversation touches on why rainwater and stormwater reuse should be considered before relying on more complicated treatment.
• Donnacha closes by inviting listeners to connect with CapCon.

Quotes

• Donnacha Tobin, “Rainwater was just kicked down the road, kicked down the road till it could become somebody else's problem.”
• Donnacha Tobin, “The benefit of us not being manufacturers is that we're manufacturer agnostic.”
• Donnacha Tobin, “I think the days of just distributing everything out to the municipal drains and just, you know, it'll be fine, is gone.”

In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, host Ty Garmon interviews Donnacha Tobin of CapCon Engineering about international rainwater and stormwater drainage design, including CapCon’s work on Singapore’s massive Terminal 5 project at Changi Airport. Donnacha explains how early involvement in design can prevent costly drainage problems later in construction, why rainwater drainage should be considered from the roof down, and how stormwater is increasingly being viewed as a valuable resource rather than something to quickly convey away. The conversation also covers international regulations, data centers, water reuse, public perception of stormwater, and the growing need for consistent, resilient, and efficient drainage systems across global markets. 

Disclaimer: Nothing discussed in this episode constitutes financial advice. This podcast is for educational purposes only. Please conduct your own research.

 

The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future.

Connect with Donnacha Tobin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnacha-tobin/

Website: https://capconeng.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capcon-group/

 

Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP: 

Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/

Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57

Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A

Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com

Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!