Social Sustainability

Stormwater Management

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Definition

Stormwater management is the planning and engineering of rainfall runoff in urban areas: collecting, conveying, treating and infiltrating water that falls on roofs, roads and pavements. Conventional design pipes water away rapidly, causing flash floods, combined sewer overflows and polluted discharges; modern practice — sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), low-impact development, green infrastructure — slows, stores, cleans and infiltrates runoff close to where it falls.

References

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This reference provides supporting context for how “Stormwater Management” is defined and used.

www.epa.govBulk import source

Source imported for editorial provenance.

Overview

How it is used

The discipline structures municipal drainage codes, water quality permits (US MS4 system), sponge city programmes and climate adaptation planning for urban flood risk.

Why it matters

Stormwater is the point where climate, water and land-use failures meet in the street; managing it well is among the most cost-effective urban adaptations.