Smarter Stormwater Systems - Environmental Science & Technology

The design of stormwater and sewer systems is based onhistorical observations of precipitation and land use. Thesesystems require significant investments to meet challengesimposed by rapid urbanization, evolving regulations and anuncertain climate. As a result, runoff from urban environmentsis threatening environmental health by lowering the quality ofreceiving waters, including fisheries, recreational sites andsources of drinking water. There is an unprecedentedopportunity, however, to improve urban water flow and qualityby equipping existing stormwater systems with low-cost sensorsand controllers. This will enable a new generation of intelligentgreen and gray stormwater networks, which will adapt theiroperation to maximize water quality benefits in response toindividual storm events and changing landscapes.