Test Project by Julie Wilson - Innovative Stormwater Management in Metro Vancouver

Why we should care about stormwater management... Issues of increasing urbanization, climate increasing flood risks, water quality and aquatic ecosystem degradation, groundwater supplies, erosion, etc.

Background

Here is a background and historical context of urban stormwater management. Stormwater is managed by civil engineers, who have traditionally designed systems to convey and pipe stormwater away from existing infrastructure, into nearby water bodies. Literature review - here were the issues they were addressing...

We now know that there are a number of impacts to the environment from the traditional stormwater management strategies. Literature review - such as...

New approaches to stormwater management have been designed to address these emerging issues. They largely work to retain and infiltrate more water on site, rather than convey runoff directly to stormwater sewers. This addresses water quantity and quality issues. Literature review - here are some examples.

Images, Maps, etc.

These examples are now being implemented in cities across the world. Portland and Philadelphia are notable leaders in the US (hyperlink).

Problem Statement

In theory, these "green designs" for urban stormwater management are mitigating impacts of stormwater runoff on aquatic ecosystems and reduce flood risk. We don't know yet if these designs are performing as they are intended to. This project will investigate the effectiveness of several innovative stormwater management designs with respect to their impacts on: improving water quality of runoff, reducing the amount of water entering streams and thus flood risks, and improving groundwater recharge.

This project will also identify barriers to effective performance of innovative stormwater management designs - may be geographical (e.g., steep gradient or soil drainage issues) or policy driven (e.g. lack of funding for regular maintenance, conflict with existing regulations).

This project will create a report card of the best and worst performing cities in Canada/US.

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Results

Synthesis of Literature Review - studies evaluating performance of innovative stormwater management designs. Studies identifying barriers.

Map of North America showing report card of stormwater management performance of different cities. Chart identifying categories of key barriers to stormwater management performance.

Recommendations

Low impact designs that encourage on-site infiltration can reduce the risk of flooding in urban centres.

Could include video synthesis or infographic.

THE END.