Stormwater management is a method of managing the overflow of stormwater that mainly results from surfaces such as driveways, parking lots and rooftops. Although mostly practised in rural sectors, urban hydrology is key in managing urban stormwater.

In urban regions, stormwater drainage is a major challenge due to the speedy growth of urban areas, poor drainage infrastructure, cutting down trees, and climatic change. You will learn how stormwater management helps advance the infrastructure of cities and towns.

What Are the Major Aspects of Urban Stormwater Management?

The following are the major aspects of urban stormwater management:

• Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) is a pool of water management approaches that intend to support modern drainage systems through various natural water management methods. It makes urban drainage systems more familiar with soil percolation, storm surge overflows, and bio-filtration. In other words, SUDS transform an urban drainage system into a natural drainage system in an eco-friendly way. 

• Low Impact Development (LID)

Low Impact Development (LID) refers to the approaches that adopt various natural processes to facilitate evapotranspiration, infiltration, or stormwater management to shield water and aquatic habitat from harmful pollutants. This method also helps manage stormwater overflow as part of the green infrastructure and emphasises using natural resources to sustain water quality.

• Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is another method that integrates the urban water cycle, water supply, stormwater and groundwater management, thereby contributing to sustainability and viability for an overall urban strategy. WSUD helps reduce excess water leakage to ensure the least possible damage. Besides, it is an ideal way to utilise that water to develop the urban environment.

• Sponge City Programme (SCP)

Sponge City is another effective urban construction model adopted for stormwater management, bettering drainage systems and ecological infrastructure. The term ‘sponge city’ determines the urban areas with plenteous natural resources like plants, lakes, parks and gardens that can absorb excess rainwater and reduce flooding.

What Are the Advantages of Stormwater Management?

The following are the benefits of stormwater management in urban areas:

• Helps in proper drainage of surface water run-off.
• Increases the possibility of recharging groundwater, reusing precipitation water and surface run-off water for irrigation. 
• Facilitates the proper treatment of stormwater in an early stage.
• Helps improve drainage systems by adopting various stormwater management strategies like Glen Osmond Creek, Brown Hill Creek, Park Lands Creek and Keswick Creek.
• Prevents damage to infrastructure such as buildings and streets. 
• Proper stormwater management eliminates impurities and pollutants from the water, like oil, grease, plastic and pesticides, to ensure quality.

Stormwater management in urban areas has recently become popular since it protects cities and towns from floods and polluted water. Ideal stormwater management is flexible, operates on local characteristics, and considers various natural approaches to allow for sustainable urban development.