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Source:
Walter P. Moore Website
Updated:
Dec 6, 2023
Sustainable Stormwater Solutions: Embracing LID for Enhanced Stormwater Quantity and Quality Control
As stormwater runoff becomes more severe, leading to destructive flood events that cause significant damage to structures and disrupt daily commerce. The urgency to address these challenges is paramount to safeguarding our communities and the environment.
The article "Sustainable Stormwater Solutions: Embracing LID for Enhanced Stormwater Quantity and Quality Control" by Rucker Simon, P.E. of Walter P. Moore, highlights the escalating challenges posed by climate change to stormwater management. Intensified weather patterns, resulting in extreme rain events, have led to severe stormwater runoff and flooding, causing substantial damage and disrupting communities. The degradation of stormwater quality is another significant concern, with increased pollution levels and nutrient runoff from urban, residential, and agricultural lands. These pollutants contribute to algal blooms and dead zones in aquatic ecosystems. The article stresses the need for multifaceted approaches, including resilient infrastructure and proactive pollution-control measures, to tackle these growing concerns. Traditional stormwater systems, often based on outdated criteria, are inadequate for handling expected future rainfall intensities and associated flood events. Low-impact development (LID) or green infrastructure is presented as an effective solution to address stormwater quantity and quality challenges.
LID emphasizes sustainable site planning to maintain ecological systems, reducing peak runoff flows and improving stormwater quality at the source. It includes features like bioretention systems, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting, which help manage runoff, filter pollutants, and enhance aesthetics. The article provides examples of successful LID applications in urban areas, highlighting projects like the Bagby Street Reconstruction in Houston and City Place in the Houston area. These projects demonstrate how LID can effectively mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and contribute to sustainable community development. LID's adaptability for both large-scale master-planned developments and small-scale projects, along with incentives offered by municipalities, positions it as a cost-effective and innovative approach to stormwater management. Overall, LID is showcased as a crucial tool in combating the adverse impacts of climate change on stormwater systems.
Rucker Simon, P.E., ENV SP is a senior associate and team director in Walter P Moore’s Infrastructure Group; email: rsimon@walterpmoore.com.
This article originally appeared in the September 2023 issue of Informed Infrastructure.
Tags:
Detention, Stormwater Management, Site Work