By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Stormwater management is a critical aspect of urban planning and infrastructure development, as it aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of excessive runoff and improve water quality. This review synthesizes the key findings from recent research on stormwater management practices and their effectiveness.Urbanization has significantly altered the natural hydrological cycle, leading to increased runoff volumes and reduced groundwater recharge12. This has resulted in more frequent flooding, erosion, and water pollution in many cities. To address these challenges, stormwater management has evolved from a focus on quantity control to a more holistic approach that also considers water quality and environmental sustainability23.Modern stormwater management techniques, often referred to as “sustainable (urban) drainage systems” (SUDS), “low impact development” (LID), or “best management practices” (BMPs), aim to reduce runoff volumes, enhance groundwater recharge, minimize flood and erosion risks, and improve water quality23. These approaches can be categorized as non-structural (e.g., street cleaning, spill control) or structural (e.g., porous pavements, swales, detention ponds)3.Research has shown that structural SUDS can effectively reduce peak flows and total runoff volumes, as well as remove various pollutants such as suspended solids, heavy metals, and nutrients45. The performance of these practices is influenced by factors such as climate, soil characteristics, and design parameters. For example, cold climates can pose challenges for the operation and maintenance of certain SUDS, necessitating adaptations4.In addition to their hydrological and water quality benefits, SUDS can also provide ecosystem services, enhance urban aesthetics, and contribute to climate change adaptation23. However, the implementation of SUDS may face various constraints, including limited space, high costs, and institutional barriers1.Future research should focus on optimizing SUDS design, evaluating long-term performance, and addressing the challenges of implementing these practices in diverse urban contexts. Interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement will be crucial for advancing stormwater management strategies that are both effective and sustainable.

key methods of stormwater management include:

1. Structural Practices123:
   • Detention ponds: Designed to manage peak flows and improve water quality by temporarily storing and slowly releasing stormwater runoff.
   • Retention ponds: Designed to permanently store stormwater runoff and allow it to infiltrate into the ground or evaporate.
   • On-site detention: Storing stormwater on-site, often under parking lots or other paved areas, to reduce peak flows.
   • Rainwater harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater from roofs or other surfaces for later use, such as irrigation.
   • Green roofs: Vegetated rooftops that can reduce runoff volumes and improve water quality.
   • Constructed wetlands: Engineered systems that use natural processes to treat stormwater.
2. Non-Structural Practices2:
   • Street cleaning: Removing debris and pollutants from streets to prevent them from being washed into stormwater systems.
   • Spill control: Preventing and containing spills of hazardous materials to protect water quality.
3. Infiltration-Based Practices35:
   • Infiltration systems: Shallow excavated trenches or tanks designed to detain and infiltrate stormwater into the ground, recharging groundwater.
   • Bioretention swales: Shallow, vegetated depressions that filter and infiltrate stormwater.
   • Rain gardens: Shallow, planted depressions that capture and infiltrate runoff from roofs or other impervious surfaces.
4. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)45:
   • An integrated approach that manages the entire urban water cycle, including groundwater, surface runoff, drinking water, and wastewater.
   • Focuses on storage, treatment, and beneficial use of runoff, as well as water-efficient landscaping and enhancing biodiversity.

The choice of stormwater management techniques depends on factors such as climate, soil characteristics, land use, and development constraints3.

The environmental impacts of poor stormwater management include:

1. Sediment: Sediment enters stormwater when rainwater flows across bare soil, reducing water clarity, impeding aquatic plant growth, and destroying aquatic habitats1.
2. Nutrients: Excess nutrients from sources like pet waste and fertilizer in stormwater runoff can lead to algae overgrowths, toxic algal blooms, reduced water oxygen levels, and harm to aquatic organisms1.
3. Bacteria and pathogens: Human and animal waste contribute bacteria and pathogens to stormwater, causing illnesses, closing swimming areas, and impairing streams for recreational use1.
4. Trash and debris: Stormwater runoff picks up trash and pollutants from streets and parking lots, impacting waterways, wildlife, and aesthetics1.
5. Oils, chemicals, and other pollutants: Improperly stored or disposed chemicals can end up in storm drains, altering water chemistry, diminishing water quality, and posing risks to aquatic organisms1.
6. Downstream impacts: Poor stormwater management can lead to downstream environmental issues such as altered water temperature regimes, degraded water quality, shifts in trophic status, fish passage barriers, and destruction of riparian cover and wetlands2.

These environmental impacts highlight the importance of effective stormwater management practices to protect water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and public health.

References

1 Hao, W., Sohn, D.-W., & Wan, D. (2023). Development and Research Regarding Stormwater Runoff Management: Bibliometric Analysis from 2001 to 2021. Buildings, 13(4), 901. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13040901
2 Pimentel da Silva, L., & Souza, F.T.d. (2020). Stormwater Management: An Overview. In: Leal Filho, W., Marisa Azul, A., Brandli, L., Gökçin Özuyar, P., Wall, T. (eds) Sustainable Cities and Communities. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95717-3_16
3 Jotte, L., Raspati, G., & Azrague, K. (2017). Review of stormwater management practices. Klima 2050 Report No 7. SINTEF Building and Infrastructure.
4 Vermont Agency of Transportation. (2012). Stormwater Practices Research Project Final Report. https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wsm/stormwater/docs/Resources/sw_VTransStormwaterResearch.pdf
5 Eck, B. J., Winston, R. J., Burchell, M. R., & Hunt, W. F. (2012). Water quality of drainage from permeable friction course. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 138(2), 174-181.

Patel, R. S., Taneja, S., Singh, J., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Modelling of Surface Runoff using SWMM and GIS for Efficient Storm Water Management. CURRENT SCIENCE, 126(4), 463.

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Stormwater, often overlooked in the grand scheme of environmental concerns, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of our ecosystems and communities. As urbanization continues to expand and climate change exacerbates weather patterns, effective stormwater management becomes increasingly imperative. In this article, we delve into the significance of stormwater management, its challenges, and innovative solutions shaping its future.

The Significance of Stormwater Management: Stormwater refers to precipitation that flows over land surfaces, collecting pollutants, debris, and sediment along its path before entering water bodies. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff poses various threats to the environment and public health, including erosion, flooding, water pollution, and habitat destruction.

Moreover, urban development alters natural landscapes, replacing permeable surfaces with impervious ones like roads, roofs, and sidewalks. This shift disrupts the natural infiltration of rainwater into the ground, exacerbating runoff and intensifying the risk of flooding and water pollution.

Challenges in Stormwater Management: One of the primary challenges in stormwater management is the sheer volume and intensity of storm events, which often overwhelm traditional drainage systems. Aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, and insufficient funding further compound these challenges, leaving many communities vulnerable to the impacts of stormwater runoff.

Additionally, the diverse array of pollutants carried by stormwater, including heavy metals, nutrients, pathogens, and sediment, poses a significant threat to water quality and ecosystem health. These pollutants originate from various sources such as industrial activities, agriculture, transportation, and urban runoff, making effective mitigation strategies complex and multifaceted.

Innovative Solutions: Addressing the complexities of stormwater management requires a holistic approach that integrates engineering solutions, policy interventions, public education, and community engagement.

Green infrastructure, which utilizes natural processes to manage stormwater, has emerged as a promising solution. Techniques such as green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands help to capture, absorb, and treat stormwater at its source, reducing runoff and mitigating pollution.

Furthermore, advancements in technology, such as sensor networks, predictive modeling, and real-time monitoring systems, enable more accurate forecasting of storm events and adaptive management of drainage systems. These tools empower decision-makers to optimize infrastructure investments and enhance resilience to climate change impacts.

Policy initiatives and regulatory frameworks also play a crucial role in promoting sustainable stormwater management practices. Measures such as stormwater utility fees, development regulations, and pollution control standards incentivize the adoption of best management practices and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Moreover, public education campaigns raise awareness about the importance of responsible stormwater management and encourage individuals to adopt water conservation practices, reduce pollution, and participate in community-based initiatives.

Conclusion: Stormwater management is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires collaborative efforts from government agencies, private sectors, communities, and individuals. By implementing innovative solutions, investing in green infrastructure, and enacting effective policies, we can mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff, protect water resources, and build more resilient and sustainable communities for future generations.

References

Barbosa, A. E., Fernandes, J. N., & David, L. M. (2012). Key issues for sustainable urban stormwater management. Water research, 46(20), 6787-6798.

Berland, A., Shiflett, S. A., Shuster, W. D., Garmestani, A. S., Goddard, H. C., Herrmann, D. L., & Hopton, M. E. (2017). The role of trees in urban stormwater management. Landscape and urban planning, 162, 167-177.

Dehalwar, K., & Singh, J. (2015). A Critical Evaluation of the main Causes of Water Management Problems in Indian Urban Areas. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences. 4, 8.

Dehalwar, K., & Singh, J. (2016). Challenges and strategies for the improvement of water management in Bhopal. European Scientific Journal, 12(2).

Dehawar, K. The Harsh Reality of Slum Life in Bhopal: A Closer Look at Poor Living Conditions.

Patel, R. S., Taneja, S., Singh, J., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Modelling of Surface Runoff using SWMM and GIS for Efficient Storm Water Management. CURRENT SCIENCE, 126(4), 463.

Sharma, S. N. (2019). Review of most used urban growth models. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), 10(3), 397-405.

Sharma, S. N. (2014). Participatory Planning in Plan Preparation. BookCountry.