This document provides information on stormwater management. It discusses the need for stormwater management to reduce flooding and pollution from surface runoff. It describes various techniques used in rural and urban areas to manage stormwater, including temporary storage methods like detention ponds and infiltration methods like grass filter strips. Effective stormwater management requires expert planning, implementation, and ongoing maintenance. When implemented properly, stormwater management provides flood control and water quality benefits while allowing stormwater to be reused.

1. Stormwater Management
Stormwater Management
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3. Stormwater Management
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Contents
1. Concept (Rural and Urban)
2. How can Stormwater Management Optimise SSWM
3. Design Principles (Storage and Infiltration Types)
4. Health and Costs
5. Operation and Maintenance
6. Applicability
7. Pros and Cons
8. References
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What is Stormwater Management?
Why:
•Surface runoff has to be reduced to prevent flooding
•Especially in urbanised areas where natural infiltration is reduced
•Sediments and Pollutants (e.g. nutrients from agriculture) must be
removed
How:
•Temporary storage (e.g. retention ponds, rainwater harvesting)
•Infiltration (e.g. grass filter stripes, infiltration basin)
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1. Concept

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Rural Stormwater Management
Causes: heavy rainfalls, storms, roads, buildings, overstrained sewer
systems
Impacts: flooding and stream erosion
Benefit of flood events and precipitation: use this water for irrigation
Some available techniques:
Spate irrigation
Micro basins
Sand Dams
Field trenches
Rainwater harvesting
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1. Concept
Flooded agricultural land after a storm event. Source: ARC
(2010)

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Rural Stormwater Harvesting
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1. Concept
Rooftop harvesting and storage for
further use. Source: DOLMAN & LUNDQUIST (2008)
Spate irrigation system Yemen. Source: FAO (2012)
Sand accumulates until the
dam is completely full of
sand up to the spillway.
Water is stored within the
sand, protected and
filtered, making up to 40 %
of the total volume. Source: ED
(n.y.)

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Urban Stormwater Management (CSIR 2000; PARKINSON et al. 2010)
Human settlements disturb the natural water cycle and creates floods
and water pollution:
 Natural vegetation is often removed and rivers are canalised
Surfaces are impermeable
Groundwater resources decrease, fresh water becomes scarce
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1. Concept
Let’s upgrade the urban water cycle! Source: AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL (2010)

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Urban Stormwater Management – IUWM Approach (UNEP 2009)
Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM):
The practice of managing freshwater, wastewater, and stormwater as
links within the resource management structure, using an urban area
as the unit of management.
Including:
•Consumption efficiency
•Ensure water quality
•Alternative sources (e.g. rainwater)
•Engage communities
•Establish and implement policies and strategies
•Support capacity development of personnel and institutions
•Improve economic efficiency of services
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1. Concept

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Stormwater Management helps to collect, treat and (re-)use runoff
water; to avoid contamination and destruction; and to restore the
disturbed urban water cycle!
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2. How it can optimise SSWMSource:SEECON(2010)
Source: SEECON (2010)

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Urban Stormwater Management – An Overview
There are several techniques to manage surface runoff. They are
divided in two groups:
Storage Type Devices
Infiltration Type Devices
What technique is implemented
should be decided on local
conditions and responsible planers.
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3. Design Principles
The sewer system cannot handle the volume of
runoff. Source: USGS (2009)

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Detention Ponds (PARKINSON et al. 2010; NJDEP 2004)
• Excavated reservoirs or natural depressions.
• Dry during low flow periods -> temporary storage during flood
events
• Stormwater should stored long enough to settle solids
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3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices
Extended Detention
Basin Components.
Source: NJDEP (2004)

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Retention Ponds (PARKINSON et al. 2010)
• Primarily designed to improve stormwater quality.
• Secondary for flood control devices.
• Retention Ponds do not dry out, water stays between 2 and 4 weeks.
• Water quality improvement mainly through settling.
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3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices
A retention pond with additional aeration,
which improves aquatic life and pollutant
removal. Source: KASCO MARINE (n.y.)

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Onsite Detention (OSD) (PARKINSON et al. 2010; UPRCT n.y.)
• Collecting stormwater on-site (e.g. on a private property).
• Storing it for a certain time and release it slowly or (re-)use it.
• Used in urban and residential areas.
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3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices
A possible OSD design with modular tank boxes.
Source: ATLANTIS (n.y.)

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Rainwater Harvesting (TRCA & CVC 2010)
• Can be used in urban and rural areas.
• Reducing of stormwater runoff and storage of potable water
• Water can be used for irrigation, as flush water for toilets or, after
purification, as drinking water.
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3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices
Rooftop
rainwater
harvesting in
Urban Areas
using a
Plastic Tank.
Source: VISHWANATH
(n.y.)

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Green Roofs (living roofs) (TRCA & CVC 2010)
• Vegetated roofs on flat or sloped roofs.
• They improve energy efficiency, reduce urban heat effect and
create green spaces.
• Reducing peak flow (storing a certain volume of rainwater)
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3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices
Green Roof in Basel, Switzerland.
Source: GREENROOFDESIGN (2008)

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Constructed Wetlands (Auckland CITY COUNCIL 2010; METROCOUNCIL n.y.)
• Designed to manage peak flows and to improve water quality of
surface runoff.
• Restoring natural habitats in cities (recreation, birdlife, etc.).
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3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices
A possible design is a pond/wetland
system. First pond (left) reduces
velocity and removes pollutants. The
shallow marsh system stores water and
is an additional treatment. Source:
METROCOUNCIL (n.y.)

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Infiltration Trenches (DEP & CZM 1997; PARKINSON et al. 2010)
• Shallow excavations filled with uniformly crushed stones.
• Walls and top lined with geotextile to avoid sediment penetration.
• Runoff infiltrates through the trenches into the subsoil.
• Treatment occurs during infiltration.
• Constructed beside streets and outdoor parking lots.
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3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices
Design of
infiltration
trenches. Source: RIVERSIDE
(n.y.) and SUSTAINABLE
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (2007)

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Grass Filter Stripes (BARR ENGINEERING COMPANY 2001)
• Densely vegetated and graded areas.
• Slowing runoff velocity, trapping sediments and pollutants and
providing modest infiltration.
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3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices
Grass filter stripe in combination with infiltration trenches (stone drop) and forest filter. Source: BARR
ENGINEERING COMPANY (2001)

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Grassed Swales (PARKINSON et al. 2010; TRCA & CVC 2010)
• Open grassed channels, which allow an infiltration along the
course.
• Check dams and vegetation reduce velocity, and allow
sedimentation, infiltration, evapotranspiration and contaminant
removal.
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3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices
Enhanced grass
swales feature
check dams that
temporarily pond
runoff to increase
pollutant
retention and
infiltration and
decrease flow
velocity. Source: TRCA &
CVC (2010)

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Pervious Pavements (TECOECO n.y.)
• Permeable pavement surface with a stone reservoir underneath.
• Reservoir stores runoff water temporarily.
• Afterwards, stored water is subsurface drained or infiltrates into
the subsoil.
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3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices
A theoretical cross section of porous pavement (left) and porous pavement during a
demonstration. Source: TECOECO (n.y.)

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Infiltration Basin (NJDEP 2004)
• Constructed facility with highly permeable soils.
• Water infiltrates into surrounding soil and gets treated.
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3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices
An infiltration
basin. Source: VUSP (n.y.)

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4. Health and Costs
• General aim: protect health, welfare and safety of the public.
• The described technologies all have ecological treatment effects.
• Illegal solid waste disposal or connection of sewer system to the
stormwater drainage systems can endanger the public health.
• High sedimentation loads could clock infiltration systems and lead
to ponding water surfaces mosquito breeding.
Health Aspect
Costs
• Costs depend on the technology, topography and expert
knowledge.
• A proper stormwater management avoids high costs caused by
flood damages.
• Collected water can be reused for groundwater recharge, urban
landscaping or farming, etc.

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5. Operation and Maintenance
A proper organised O&M service is essential to:
Extend the lifespam of stormwater systems.
Improve the site drainage.
Reduce pollution entering surface waters and groundwater.
6. Applicability
• Necessary in every urban or rural settlement to:
 Protect human health;
 Prevent water pollution;
 Collect and (re-)use precipitation water;
 Prevent damages on infrastructure
• It has to be adapted to the local conditions (climate, topography,
resources, etc.)

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Advantages:
• Proper drainage of surface run-off
• Collected water can be reused for
groundwater recharge, urban
landscaping or farming, etc.
• Treatment of stormwater in a
very early stage
• Avoids damages on infrastructure
(private properties, streets,
etc.); flood prevention
• Can be integrated into the urban
landscape and provide green and
recreational areas
Disadvantages:
• Expert planning, implementation,
operation and maintenance
required
• Depending on technique a lot of
operation and labour
• Risk of clogging infiltration
system caused by high
sedimentation rates.
7. Pros and Cons

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8. References
ATLANTIS (Editor) (n.y.): Modular Underground Tanks System. Sidney: Atlantis. URL:
http://www.atlantiscorp.com.au/brochures/Atlantis_Matrix_Tank.pdf [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL (Editor) (2010): Stormwater. Auckland: Auckland City Council. URL:
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/services/stormwater/default.asp [Accessed 27.02.2012]
ARC (Editor) (2010): The Countryside Living Toolbox: A Guide for the Management of Stormwater Discharges in Countryside Living
Areas in the Auckland Region. Auckland: Auckland Regional Council (ARC). URL:
http://www.rodney.govt.nz/DistrictTownPlanning/infrastructure/water/Documents/CountrysideLivingGuideToolbox_Background.pdf
[Accessed: 07.03.2012]
BARR ENGINEERING COMPANY (2001): Urban Small Sites Best Management Practice Manual. Filter Stripes. St. Paul: Metropolitan
Council Environmental Services. URL: http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/water/bmp/manual.htm [Accessed:
28.02.2012]
CSIR (Editor) (2000): Guidelines for Human Settlement Planning and Design. Pretoria: CSIR Building and Construction Technology.
URL: http://www.csir.co.za/Built_environment/RedBook/Vol_II/Chapter_06/Chapter_06_Vol_IIa.pdf [Accessed: 23.02.2012]
DEP (Editor); CZM (Editor) (1997): Stormwater Management. Bosten: MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and MA
Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). URL: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/swmpolv2.pdf [Accessed: 27.02.2012]
DOLMAN, B.; LUNDQUIST, K. (2008): Roof Water Harvesting for a low Impact Water Supply: Featuring the Brazilian Ball Pre-Filter
System: A Case Study. Occidental: The WATER Institute Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) . URL:
http://www.oaecwater.com/files/ROOF-WATER-HARVESTING-3MB.pdf [Accessed: 14.03.2011]
ED (Editor) (n.y.): Pioneers of Sand Dams. Brentford: EXCELLENT DEVELOPMENT (ED). URL:
http://www.excellentdevelopment.com/ [Accessed: 20.04.2011]
FAO (Editor) (2010): Guidelines on Spate Irrigation. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). URL:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1680e/i1680e.pdf [Accessed: 28.06.2011]
GREENROOFDESIGN (Editor) (2008): Messehalle Basel. Zurich/London: Green Roof Design. URL:
http://www.greenroofdesign.ch/archives_de/cat_messehallebasel.html [Accessed: 04.06.2012]
KASCO MARINE (Editor) (n.y.): Retention Ponds. Prescott: Kasco Marine, Inc. URL:
http://www.gotalgae.com/retention_ponds.pdf [Accessed: 31.05.2012]
METROCOUNCIL (Editor) (n.y.): Constructed Wetlands: Stormwater Wetlands. Saint Paul: Metropolitan Council. URL:
http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/water/bmp/CH3_STConstWLSwWetland.pdf [Accessed: 21.02.2012].
NJDP (2004): Standard for Infiltration Basins. New Jersey: Department of Environmental Protection.URL:
http://www.njstormwater.org/tier_A/pdf/NJ_SWBMP_9.5.pdf [Accessed 28.02.2012]

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8. References
PARKINSON, J.N.; GOLDENFUM, J.A.; C.E.M. TUCCI (2010): Integrated Urban Water Management: Humid. Paris: UNESCO.
UNEP (Editor) (2009): Integrated Urban Water Management. Osaka: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). URL:
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/brochures/iuwm.pdf [Accessed: 27.02.2012]
RIVERSIDES (n.y.): Infiltration Trenches. Toronto: RiverSides Stewardship Alliance. URL:
http://www.riversides.org/rainguide/riversides_hgr.php?cat=2&page=39&subpage=92&subpage2=43 [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (2007): Infiltration Trenches. URL:
http://sustainablestormwater.org/2007/05/23/infiltration-trenches/ [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
TECOECO (n.y.): Permeconcrete. Glenorchy: TecEco Pty Ltd. URL: http://www.tececo.com/technical.permecocrete.php
[Accessed: 05.03.2012]
TRCA (Editor); CVC (Editor) (2010): Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guide. Downsview and
Mississauga: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (CVC). URL:
http://www.sustainabletechnologies.ca/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/LID%20SWM%20Guide%20-%20v1.0_2010_1_no
%20appendices.pdf [27.02.2012]
UPRCT (n.y.): What is On-site Stormwater Detention? Parramatta: Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust (UPRCT). URL:
http://www.stormwater.net.au/Downloads/OSD-simple.pdf [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
USGS (Editor) (2009): Miscellaneous September 2009 Flooding Pictures. Reston: United States Geological Survey (USGS). URL:
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/flood/flooding-sept09/images/miscellaneous/ [Accessed: 31.05.2012]
VUSP (Editor) (n.y.): Design Components. Villanova: Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership (VUSP). URL:
http://www3.villanova.edu/vusp/bmp_research/bio_traffic/bio_des_comp.htm [Accessed: 04.06.2012]

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