Drought and the Use of Storm Water to Increase Resilience

Learn how to combat drought with storm water BMPs.

Local governments employ a full spectrum of storm water management practices to reduce the impacts of development on local watersheds. Drainage infrastructure has historically been designed to treat storm water as a liability, directing runoff from impervious surfaces such as roads and roofs to curbs and gutters, pipes and concrete channels. This outdated approach wastes water and doesn't allow for infiltration, it also does nothing to mitigate the ill effects of pollutants. Traditional approaches also prevent groundwater recharge, a particular problem in drought stricken areas of the country where protection of water resources is critical. This topic helps architects, landscape architects and engineers understand how to design storm water systems that maximize storm water absorption and replenish groundwater resources. It also presents concepts and provides best practices for LID and green infrastructure that help manage storm water sustainability. These best practices can be incorporated into projects of any scale from region to site.