Case Studies in Sustainable Urban Stormwater Management Design and Innovation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to outline strategies of sustainable stormwater management design and innovation for private developments and public infrastructure projects in urban areas. This paper will focus on urban stormwater management, with several examples of private and public projects recently completed that implement sustainable stormwater management design. Through examination of specific projects this paper will assist the audience in understanding current local trends for sustainable stormwater management, provide information on local agency requirements for their implementation, and foster a discussion of techniques to change the current way of thinking in their application in public and private infrastructure projects. This paper is based on the authors’ experience as an engineer and designer of sustainable stormwater management systems as well as review of current literature addressing sustainable stormwater management. I. Introduction Managing stormwater has been part of human’s interaction with their environment for millennia. Humans have used numerous methods to prevent damage from flooding and erosion caused by stormwater during rainfall events. Typical stormwater management controls consist of structural and non-structural elements that contain and convey stormwater during a rain event. These typical stormwater management controls can consist of wet and dry detention basins, large pipes, and concrete structures. Recently, new practices of managing stormwater have begun to develop that place the focus on preserving and maintaining the natural hydrology within a watershed. Maintaining and replicating natural hydrology provides sustainable benefits that include reductions in pollutant and nutrient loading to existing watersheds, groundwater recharge, decreasing erosion, and lowering the burden on existing sewer and stormwater management infrastructure. The new practice and understanding of stormwater management can be seen in large metropolitan areas in the United States such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle, as well as smaller municipalities and local communities (Newell, et al. 2012). In particular, the City of Chicago and surrounding area have recently developed codes and requirements that promote sustainable stormwater management for new developments within their jurisdiction. Examining the current trend in Chicago will