A REVIEW OF SUSTAINABILITY OF URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEM: TRAITS AND CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

Currently the effect of urban discharges on water quantity and quality issues and additional recreational amenities perceived in the urban landscape have gained growing public interest for the provision of sustainable drainage systems. Therefore, review of the existing drainage system and prediction of the environmental responses to the discharges of urban drainage system is highly imperative to environmentalists, hydrologists, land use planners, storm and wastewater management for the better plan and sustainable development of the town. The study have analyzed the existing condition of Jimma city drainage system and identified the major factors contributing to poor drainage performances. With the development of Jimma city intensification, surface water discharges from developed areas and uncontrolled wastes were found to be increasingly released affecting social, environmental and economic state of the area. Lack of proper functioning drainage infrastructure, uncontrolled waste disposal, lack of periodic inspection and maintenance, poor connection of drainage networks and roads and carelessness was found to be the major challenges of the existing drainage system. These have caused drainage blockages, causing overflows and flooding, reducing the attractive features of the city and making Town’s unpleasant places to live in.