How to Deal with Climate Change Flooding Caused By Abnormal Rainfall Events Through Better Stormwater Management

August 20, 2019 Comments (0) Blog, stormwater management services, stormwater management strategies  Like

Due to drastic climate changes, the precipitation levels in New York City are expected to rise by 8% by the 2020s. Sea levels are also rising at a rate of 1.2 inches per decade—that’s almost twice the observed global rate.

Climate change has lead community leaders to increase their efforts in stormwater management. During seasons of heavy rainfall the ground becomes saturated due to the excess moisture. The run-off water carries debris, bacteria and other pollutants along with it and may damage equipment. The excess rainfall also leads to flooding in some areas.

This blog will talk about how better stormwater management strategies help reduce the damage and instead make effective use of excess rainfall.

Prevent Flooding

Stormwater flooding can occur when the existing facilities like sewage systems reach their carrying capacity. Due to the excess rainfall the urban drainage systems. It can be rendered inefficient resulting in water accumulating in basements and roads. To reduce the impact of stormwater damage, various management approaches are used.

Stormwater infrastructure is designed to contain the excess amount of water for a short period of time, usually for 24 to 48 hours. Retentions ponds gradually release water back into the drainage system at a regulated rate. These ‘wet ponds’ are usually built near sewage and drainage systems.

Another stormwater damage prevention method is the use of vegetation. Plants absorb some of the water and also filter it at a slower pace. Groundwater infiltration can also be used to provide the required rate of water absorption into the drainage systems and prevent damage from excessive water flooding.

Effective Treatment of Water Quality

One of the most important aims of stormwater management is to prevent pollution and the spread of diseases by better facilities. Run-off water usually contains bacteria, pesticides, debris and animal waste. These pollutants contain chemicals such as nitrogen and phosphorous.

In a moderate amount, these chemicals are actually beneficial for the ecosystem. But during heavy rainfall season, the excess of these chemicals makes its way into ponds and rivers at a very high rate. This can essentially damage the environment and its organisms. So it’s essential to maintain an adequate flow of water into our natural water bodies.

At Larsen Engineers, our experienced and highly skilled stormwater management services team can provide you with efficient water treatment solutions. Call us at (585) 272-7310 for an initial discussion on how to go about designing an effective stormwater management system.