#stormwater — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #stormwater, aggregated by home.social.
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The City of Santa Fe is initiating a rain water runoff program to capture and purify roadway and other nonpermeable surface runoff. It's a cool idea that I hope is successful and embraced throughout the city.
#SantaFe #NewMexico #rain #runoff #conservation #water #stormwater
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#Aotearoa / #NewZealand - The case for #WildlifeCorridors, bridges & belts
Connected networks of vegetated or aquatic spaces that enable movement of species across fragmented urban landscapes.
Excerpt: "#ClimateChange – #VegetatedCorridors contribute to #UrbanCooling and #microclimate regulation, supporting #ClimateAdaptation benefits alongside #biodiversity outcomes.
#HumanWellbeing – Access to connected, #biodiverse #GreenSpaces is associated with improved psychological wellbeing and restorative experiences.
#Freshwater security – Riparian and #BlueGreenCorridors can improve #stormwater attenuation, #WaterQuality, and #flood #resilience while supporting aquatic and terrestrial connectivity."Read more:
https://aotearoabiodivercity.org/design-strategies/green-wildlife-corridors-bridges-and-belts/#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeAdaptation #GreenerCities #GreenCorridors #WildlifeCrossing #WaterIsLife #NatureHeals #SpendTimeInNature #Greenspaces
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The #Science of #SolarPunk -- why we need #GreenerCities!
Equitable urban green space planning for sustainable cities: a GIS-based analysis of spatial disparities and functional strategies
Published: 02 July 2025
Sayyed Kifayatullah, Zafeer Saqib, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Muhammad Zaman-ul-Haq, Dmitry E. Kucher, Sajid Ullah & Aqil Tariq"Abstract:
#UrbanGreenSpaces (#UGS) are critical for fostering ecological sustainability and social equity in rapidly urbanizing cities like #Islamabad, #Pakistan. This study aimed to comprehensively map and classify Islamabad’s UGS, identify spatial disparities, and evaluate their ecological, recreational, and social functions. The research also proposed sustainable strategies for managing UGS to address urban challenges, including climate adaptation, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. The study developed a detailed spatial map of Islamabad’s UGS using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and high-resolution satellite imagery. Seven typologies were categorized and analyzed, including parks, playgrounds, institutional green spaces, and waterways. Field surveys and random sampling validated the thematic maps, achieving an accuracy rate of 95.68% based on statistical metrics like Kappa coefficients. The study revealed significant disparities in UGS distribution.
"Wealthier zones had larger, well-maintained green spaces, while denser areas lacked accessible and functional UGS. Recreational spaces, institutional greenery, and waterways played a vital role in enhancing biodiversity, urban aesthetics, and community well-being, though many remain underutilized or degraded. Institutional green spaces contributed significantly to urban sustainability, comprising 17.05 km² of the total UGS area. The research highlights UGS as an essential #NatureBasedSolution (#NBS) for addressing urban challenges like #HeatIslands, #stormwater management, and #SocialInequalities. The findings serve as a model for other rapidly urbanizing cities seeking #ecological and social balance.
[...]
"Conclusion
[T]his study underscores the pivotal role of UGS in fostering ecological #sustainability, social equity, and urban resilience, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities like Islamabad. By leveraging GIS and high-resolution satellite imagery, the research provides a detailed analysis of the spatial distribution, typologies, and functional value of #GreenSpaces across the city. The findings reveal striking disparities, where wealthier neighborhoods enjoy better-maintained parks and green belts, while densely populated and economically underprivileged areas often lack accessible and functional green spaces. This imbalance highlights the urgent need for equitable planning and management of urban greenery.
"The research affirms that UGS are more than aesthetic elements; they serve as vital ecological assets by regulating #UrbanMicroclimates, enhancing #biodiversity, managing stormwater, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Socially, they contribute to community well-being by offering recreation, relaxation, and physical activity spaces. However, the study also identifies significant challenges, such as the uneven distribution, poor maintenance, and underutilization of certain green spaces, which limit their potential to deliver these benefits.
"To address these challenges, the study emphasizes the importance of integrating UGS into #UrbanPlanning policies to ensure #EquitableAccess for all city residents, regardless of socioeconomic status. It also highlights the value of #CommunityInvolvement in the upkeep and management of green spaces, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among local stakeholders. Sustainable funding mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, are proposed to ensure UGS’s regular maintenance and future expansion. Moreover, the research advocates for continued use of data-driven decision-making, leveraging GIS tools to monitor and optimize green infrastructure for long-term sustainability. While this study focuses on Zone I, expanding future research to other zones would offer a more comprehensive perspective on UGS distribution and accessibility across the entire city.
"This research presents UGS as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to tackle pressing urban challenges like #ClimateChange, flooding, and social inequalities, offering actionable strategies for policymakers and urban planners. While centered on Islamabad, these findings provide a valuable framework that other rapidly urbanizing cities can adapt to strike a balance between development and ecological integrity. The study reminds that sustainable cities must prioritize green spaces to ensure a livable, #equitable, and #resilient urban future."
Full article:
http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07578-2#SolarPunkSunday #MoreTrees #GreenerCities #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities
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#AllianceForTheChesapeakeBay - #RiverSmart Homes: #RainBarrels
"Funded by the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), the RiverSmart Homes Rain Barrel program helps reduce #stormwater runoff in #WashingtonDC, improving the quality of local #streams and #waterways. Residents of the District can receive up to three reduced-cost barrels, information about stormwater issues, and signage for their yard. In addition, the Alliance coordinates and trains local contractors to install rain barrels in the city.
By aiding in the coordination and installation of barrels, the program allows for easy and accessible environmental solutions on your property!"
Learn more:
https://www.allianceforthebay.org/project/riversmart/riversmart-homes-rain-barrels/#SolarPunkSunday #DC #ChesapeakeBay #RainbarrelProgram #WaterCollection #WaterIsLife #RainwaterCollection
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#Michigan - Oakland County #RainSmart program expected to keep millions of gallons of #water out of #sewer - here's how
By Amber Eikenberry
Published January 27, 2026 12:51pmOAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - "Two years of helping Oakland County residents install green infrastructure is expected to keep 1.4 million gallons of stormwater out of the sewer system annually.
"During the two-year RainSmart Rebates pilot program, residents located in the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District were able to receive money to install rain gardens, rain barrels, and native trees to their yards.
Participants were able to install one garden, up to two trees, and two rain barrels after an evaluation of their property to determine which infrastructure would work best.
By the numbers:
According to Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash, the second year of the program, which started in 2024 and just wrapped up, saw a 22% increase in participation from 2024.
This past year, 379 rain barrels, 199 native trees, and 105 rain gardens were installed.
In 2024, there were 159 rain barrels, 98 trees, and 49 rain gardens installed.
Since the pilot began, nearly 300 residents have participated. A total of more than $176,000 rebates were distributed, with the average participant receiving $500 for their projects.
Why it matters:
Flooding is a major issue in many parts of #MetroDetroit, especially in cities that are part of the #GeorgeWKuhnDrain Drainage District, including all or part of Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Southfield, and Troy,
This is because it is a combined sewer system. In a combined system, #wastewater and #stormwater both flow through the same pipes, known as gray infrastructure, and go to a wastewater treatment plant.
This means that during periods of intense rain like Metro Detroit has been seeing more frequently, the system can get overwhelmed. The result? Flooded streets and backups into homes.
Also, there is a greater likelihood of contaminants making it into the system. This is a concern even for homes not on a combined sewer system.
Rain barrels, trees, and native plant gardens all help reduce the amount of rainwater that makes it to the sewer system."
#SolarPunkSunday #WaterCollection #Rainbarrels #NativePlants #NativeTrees #RainGardens #TreePlanting
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Detection And Spatial Modelling Of Trends In UK Rainfall Frequency
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https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2026.2622458 <-- shared paper
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#GIS #spatial #mapping #extremeweather #rainfall #pluvial #frequency #trends #nonstationarity #extremevalue #model #modeling #monitoring #UnitedKingdom #UK #Britian #England #Scotland #Wales #precipitation #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #drainage #monitoring #planning #resilience #naturalhazards #flooding #flood #water #hydrology # #sewerage #sewage #wastewater #waterways #pollution #spills #releases #stormwater #erosion #massmovement #landslides #engineeringgeology #risk #hazard #climatic #covariates #raingauges #maximums #duration #winter #NorthernEngland #NorthAtlanticOscillation #NAO #index #metrics #annualmaximum #AMAX #seasonalmaximum #SMAX #peaksoverthreshold #POT #statistics #geostatistics #MetOffice #weather #climate -
Good thing I have NO PLANS to go to the beach any time soon... Ugh! 🤢
Taking a dip #LaborDay weekend? Swimmers face fecal contamination at beaches along US coastline
By PATRICK WHITTLE and MINGSON LAU
Updated 10:15 AM EDT, August 30, 2025OGUNQUIT, Maine (AP) — "Thousands of Americans will head to beaches for one last summer splash this Labor Day weekend, but taking a dip might be out of the question: Many of the beaches will caution against swimming because of unsafe levels of fecal contamination.
"Beaches from #CrystalRiverFL, to #OgunquitME, have been under advisories warning about water quality this week because of elevated levels of bacteria associated with fecal waste. The advisories typically discourage beachgoers from going in the water because the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, rashes and nausea.
"There have been closures this week at some of the country’s most popular beach destinations, including Keyes Memorial Beach in the #CapeCod village of Hyannis in Barnstable, Massachusetts; Benjamin’s Beach on #LongIsland in Bay Shore, New York; and a portion of the Imperial Beach shoreline near #SanDiego. Even on the pristine, white sand beaches of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Department of Health is warning of a high bacteria count at #KahaluuBeachPark on the #BigIsland.
"It’s a longstanding and widespread problem. Nearly two-thirds of beaches tested nationwide in 2024 experienced at least one day in which indicators of fecal contamination reached potentially unsafe levels, conservation group Environment America said in a report issued this summer.
"The group reviewed beaches on the coasts and #GreatLakes and found that 84% of #GulfCoast beaches exceeded the standard at least once. The number was 79% for #WestCoast beaches, 54% for #EastCoast beaches and 71% for #GreatLakes beaches."The report also said more than 450 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25 percent of the days tested. A key reason is outdated water and #SewerSystems that allows contamination from #sewage to reach the places where people swim, said John Rumpler, clean water director and senior attorney with #EnvironmentAmerica.
" 'These beaches are a treasure for families across New England and across the country. They are a shared resource,' said Rumpler, who is based in Boston. 'We need to make the investment to make sure that literally our own #HumanWaste doesn’t wind up in the places where we are swimming.'
"Other factors have also played a role in contaminating beaches, including increasingly #SevereWeather that overwhelms sewage systems, and suburban sprawl that paves over natural areas and reduces the #ecosystem’s ability to absorb #stormwater, Rumpler said."
https://apnews.com/article/beaches-labor-day-fecal-swimming-b0141df7f40ad2914d4e2cd31182e9af
#OceansAreLife #WaterIsLife #WaterContamination #Sewage #Pollution #HumanWaste
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#Australia: Research shows #NativePlants can detox #PFAS-contaminated #water
New research from Australia's national science agency #CSIRO, the #UniversityOfSouthAustralia and the #UniversityOfWesternAustralia has found that PFAS chemicals can be removed from contaminated water using Australian plants grown in a floating #wetland.
May 4, 2022
"They’re the non-stick on #Teflon cookware, the stain resistance in #Scotchgard, and the suppression factor in #FirefightingFoam, but while the staying power of PFAS chemicals was once revered, it’s now infamous as PFAS substances continue to infiltrate the #environment and affect human health.
"Now, new research from the University of South Australia is helping to remediate the ‘indestructible’ PFASs as scientists show that Australian native plants can significantly remediate PFAS pollutants through floating wetlands to create healthier environments for all.
"Conducted in partnership with CSIRO and the University of Western Australia, the research found that PFAS chemicals (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) can be removed from contaminated water via Australian #NativeRushes - #PhragmitesAustralis, #BaumeaArticulata, and #JuncusKraussii.
"Phragmites australis, otherwise known as the #CommonReed, removed legacy PFAS contaminants by 42-53 per cent from contaminated surface water (level: 10 µg/L).
"According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to PFAS may lead to a range of health issues including a decline in fertility, developmental delays in children, increased risk of some cancers, a reduced immune system, higher cholesterol, and risk of obesity.
"UniSA and CSIRO researcher Dr John Awad says that this research could alleviate many of these environmental and health risks by providing a clean, green, and cost-effective method to remove PFAS from the environment.
" 'PFASs are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down, instead accumulating in the environment and in our bodies where they can cause adverse health effects,' Dr Awad says.
" 'In Australia, PFAS concerns often relate to the use of firefighting foam – especially legacy firefighting foam – which accumulates in the #SurfaceWater of our #waterways.
" 'Our research tested the effectiveness of Australian rushes to remove #PFASChemicals from #stormwater, finding that Phragmites australis was the most effective at absorbing chemicals through its roots and shoots.'
"The study used constructed floating wetlands as a mechanism for plants to grow #hydroponically. Dr Awad says floating wetlands present a novel and flexible way for natural #remediation systems.
" 'Constructed floating wetlands can be readily installed into existing urban environments, such as holding reservoirs and retention basins, making them highly manoeuvrable and adaptable to local waterways,' Dr Awad says.
" 'Plus, as this innovative water treatment system does not require pumping or the ongoing addition of #chemicals, it is a #CostEffective remediation system for PFAS removal.
" 'Add native plants to the mix and we have delivered a truly clean, green and environmentally-friendly method for removing toxic PFAS chemicals from contaminated water.' "
Notes to editors:
- So far, the floating wetlands system has only been examined under control laboratory conditions for PFAS remediation and the research team is looking forward to testing it in the real world, under natural conditions.
- This research is being carried out at the UniSA Mawson Lakes campus. PFAS has not been detected in or around Mawson lakes."Original press release:
https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2022/hydroponic-native-plants-to-detox-pfas-contaminated-water/#SolarPunkSunday #PFAScontamination #ForeverChemicals #Remediation #PollutionSolutions #WaterIsLife #PFASPollution #Remediation #PFASRemoval #PFASRemediation
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How are natural #DisasterResistant design elements integrated into #Solarpunk buildings?
Publication date: 2023-09-02
"In Solarpunk buildings, #NaturalDisaster-resistant design elements are integrated through a combination of passive and active design strategies. Here are a few ways in which these elements can be incorporated:
1. Site selection and orientation: Solarpunk buildings are typically situated in areas that are less susceptible to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, or tsunamis. Careful evaluation of the site's history and potential risks helps in choosing locations that are more resilient. Additionally, the building orientation can be optimized to maximize natural light and minimize exposure to prevailing winds or storms.
2. Structural reinforcements: Solarpunk buildings embrace resilient construction techniques to withstand natural disasters. This may include reinforced foundations, #earthquake-resistant designs, #hurricane-resistant materials, and robust structural systems that can withstand high winds, seismic activity, or even #ExtremeWeather events.
3. Green roofs and rainwater harvesting: Green roofs, which incorporate vegetation on the rooftop, offer several benefits when it comes to natural disaster resilience. They can help mitigate stormwater runoff, reducing the strain on existing drainage systems during heavy rainfalls or floods. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems can be implemented to collect and store rainwater for future use, serving as an alternative water source during emergencies.
4. Passive climate control: Solarpunk design emphasizes #PassiveCooling and heating strategies to reduce energy consumption and reliance on mechanical systems. Natural ventilation through well-placed windows, louvers, or roof vents can help regulate indoor temperatures. By not relying heavily on air conditioning units, Solarpunk buildings can maintain habitability even during power outages caused by natural disasters.
5. #Renewable energy systems: Solarpunk buildings integrate renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines to generate electricity on-site. This reduces dependence on centralized energy grids, making the building more self-sufficient and resilient in the face of power disruptions caused by natural disasters. Battery storage systems can also be incorporated to store excess energy and provide backup power during emergencies.
6. Water management and flood-resistance: Solarpunk buildings employ strategies such as permeable paving, #RainGardens, and water retention ponds to manage #stormwater. These features help minimize the risk of #flooding and prevent damage caused by heavy rains or extreme weather events.
"By combining these design elements, Solarpunk buildings aim to create sustainable and resilient structures that can better withstand the challenges posed by natural disasters."
Source:
https://houses-apartments.com/en/architecture/solarpunk-architecture/how-are-natural-disaster-resistant-design-elements-integrated-into-solarpunk-buildings
#BuildingTechniques #BuildingForClimateChange #BuildingDesign #SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeAdaptation -
Can These Rocks Reduce Flooding? [USGS video]
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https://youtu.be/RWoSGOfxOQA?si=bsOLDozyY0CFxhmF <-- shared video
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“Creating a binational sponge city in the desert: Flooding in the binational cities at Ambos Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora portion of the US-Mexico border has caused damage, ruined livelihoods and taken lives for hundreds of years. New research suggests that flooding can be detained using low-tech, nature-based solutions, like natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS), rock detention structures and green infrastructure.…”
#GIS #spatial #mapping #geology #risk #hazard #water #hydrology #flood #flooding #mitigation #engineering #control #engineeringgeology #planning #management #rock #AmbosNogales #Arizona #USA #USWest #Sonora #Mexico #drylandstreams #natural #floodrisk #stormwater #runoff #economics #cost #floodplains #publicsafety #community #communities #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #model #modeling #watershed #pollution #greenspace
@USGS