Our research on stormwater
Stormwater research covers all the way from rainfall to the recipient, ranging from stormwater generation, transport and treatment to the content of urban stormwater, its variations, what pollutants can be found in stormwater and snow, the sources of pollutants upstream in the system, and what stormwater quality we can expect in the future due to changing urban landscapes and climate. Understanding and further developing stormwater treatment techniques and processes is an important part of the research. This can help to reduce the impact on receiving waters, but can also lead to a broader use of stormwater, either directly (e.g. irrigation) or indirectly (e.g. through infiltration into groundwater). In addition, planning and liability issues are considered as well as opportunities to integrate stormwater into the public space. The research also covers improved modelling with different modelling tools both in terms of stormwater volume and stormwater quality.
Current projects
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ISWIM - Innovative stormwater impact mitigation (2023-2028)
The overall aim of this Formas project is to develop innovative, new technologies for area-efficient yet far-reaching treatment of large flows of stormwater from the built environment and stormwater treatment in and near properties for direct use of stormwater in the property.
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Urban stormwater research in cold climates: an evidence synthesis (2023-2024)
This research review and synthesis project is undertaken as a collaboration between Luleå University of Technology and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The project will synthesize pertinent research findings relevant to a Nordic climate to provide an evidence base of the impact of urban ...
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StormCompetence – Strengthening researchers’ competencies on stormwater management (2023-2025)
The aim of the project “StormCompetence - Strengthening researchers’ professional competencies on stormwater management for renovation of UA city infrastructure in the post-war time” is to support a new generation of Ukrainian doctoral students and younger researchers working in stormwater managemen...
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Impact of the material in stormwater pipelines on the stormwater quality, 2023
In this project, we will compile a report based on a literature study describing the state of research regarding the impact of pipeline materials on stormwater quality.
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Toxicity testing of runoff from different building surface materials, 2023
In this project we study to what extent runoff from a selection of building surface materials may affect aquatic organisms.
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Nutrients in stormwater, 2023
Stormwater is often considered to be a major source of nutrients to urban surface waters; however, analyses of Swedish stormwaters for this reason are relatively few.
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PFAS and stormwater, 2023
Four sub-projects to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of fluorinated substances (PFASs) in stormwater, sediment and stormwater biofilters have been funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The total budget for these projects is 1.590.000 SEK.
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Leaching of biocides from impregnated building materials
In this project we will evaluate biocides from impregnated building materials. We will conduct laboratory leaching experiments to quantify the release of biocides present in the materials.
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Opportunities of integrated systems for sustainable groundwater and stormwater management(2021-2024)
Within Sweden, temperatures are predicted to increase by 3-5°C by 2080, with more rainfall occurring in autumn, winter and spring. This has major implications for urban areas.
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Occurence of stormwater pollutants in receiving water bodies (2021-2023)
Analyses of microplastics, metals and PAHs along urban water bodies.
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Microplastics accumulated in swales, 2023
The presence of microplastics (mainly in the form of tyre wear particles) differs between different roads, e.g. depending on traffic load and speed.
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Stormwater treatment in densely built cities - an overlooked challenge (2021-2023)
Untreated urban discharges severely affect receiving water bodies. Thus, stormwater treatment facilities are increasingly installed.
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Area-efficient stormwater treatment - Where? When? How? (2016-2023)
The overall aim with this project is to contribute with knowledge about different treatment components for stormwater and how these can be designed and integrated in densely built areas. The intention is to develop recommendations for municipalities concerning which aspects to be considered in plann...
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Bioretention: from copy‐pasted standard solutions to sophisticated design (2016-2022)
Stormwater bioretention implementation is rapidly increasing in Sweden. However, bioretention faces challenges when implemented in Sweden due to the cold/temperate climate which may interfere the bioretention function.
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BlueGreen Infrastructure for a Sustainable Climate Adaptation of the Future City (2021-2025)
Climate change combined with increasing urbanisation and conventional “grey” infrastructure results in numerous challenges. Ecosystem-based adaptation using Blue-Green infrastructure (BGI) is an important strategy for creating climate-proof cities by delivery of technical, environmental, economic an...
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Achieving multifunctional, holistic and sustainable stormwater management in existing development
Urbanisation poses challenges, inter alia connected to conventional stormwater infrastructure involving risks for flooding, environmental pollution etc. Transformation towards a sustainable (storm)water management is challenging especially in existing urban areas where the existing sewer network hin...
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SECURE - StormwatEr planning for inCreased Urban REsilience (2021-2023)
The purpose of SECURE (StormwatEr planning for inCreased Urban REsilience) is to, based on the needs of participating cities and the Swedish Transport Administration, in collaboration with actors from the entire value chain, develop new stormwater solutions with smart design and develop in-depth kno...
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SODA - Collaboration for sustainable stormwater management on neighbourhood level (2021-2025)
Problems and challenges connected to flooding, discharge of polluted water and water scarcity are predicted to increase in our cities. Climate change and urbanisation require that stormwater is managed both above and below ground in a safe and cost-effective way. In our cities, space is at a premium...
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Sensors to evaluate stormwater quality, 2023
At a test site in Luleå, sensors are installed to continuously measure different quality parameters in stormwater.
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Multi-functional street-scale blue-green infrastructure - Translating potential into actual ecosystem services delivery (2021-2024)
Blue-green infrastructure (BGI) means using multifunctional green spaces of different sizes and designs in cities instead of grey solutions involving paved, concrete or asphalt surfaces and pipes for (storm)water drainage.
Completed projects
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Undeclared sources (2016-2022)
In the project "Undeclared sources: Identification and characterisation of diffuse pollution from ur...
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FanpLESStic-sea (2019-2021)
FanpLESStic-sea is a new project since January 1, 2019, and is mainly funded by InterReg Baltic Sea.
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Separation of microplastics from stormwater and snow (2020-2021)
- in stormwater biofilters, sediment facilities and snow piles
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GrönNano (2013-2021)
The goal for GreenNano is to implement and develop innovative methods for sustainable stormwater man...
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Sustainable urban snow handling (2015-2019)
The goal of this project financed by the Swedish Research Council Formas is to develop a nationwide ...
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INXCES INnovations for eXtreme Climatic EventS (2016-2019)
INXCES develops new innovative technological methods for risk assessment and mitigation of extreme h...
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Uncertainties due to stormwater sampling techniques (2013)
The aim of this study is to examine the influence of automated sampling on indicator bacteria result...
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URBAN SNOWMELT – pollutants, dynamics and environmental significance (2010-2012)
The complexity of the urban hydrological cycle in a cold climate, with respect to precipitation, hyd...
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Stormwater runoff from railway infrastructure – pollutant management (2021-2022)
When planning road and rail infrastructure, the transport of pollutants via stormwater and the impac...
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µrban plastics - Sources, sinks & flows of microplastics in the urban environment (2019-2022)
A large part of the microplastics found in the marine, and other aquatic, environments are believed ...
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Treatment of stormwater in bioretention: effect of biochar amendments (2021-2022)
Tough biochar is highly recommended by industry and end-users, there is still a lack of knowledge ab...
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Advanced Modular Treatment Trains for Urban Stormwater to Protect the Receiving Waters (2017-2022)
In this project a system of stormwater treatment unit processes is developed that can be strategical...
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Electrocoagulation as a treatment component for polluted stormwater (2020)
Electrocoagulation as a treatment component for polluted stormwater, is a project that aims to inves...
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Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Cities (2014-2017)
Godecke Blecken was granted 3 million SEK by Norrbotten Research Council as part of a targeted inves...
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Summary report - Stormwater treatment facilities (2014-2015)
Godecke Blecken has been assigned by the Swedish Water and Wastewater Association to compile a repor...
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Long term performance of stormwater wetland systems (2012-2015)
The Bäckaslöv stormwater pond and constructed wetland in Växjö was built in 1994. A comprehensive ev...
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Advancing Stormwater Biofiltration: Overcoming Obstacles for Increased Implementation (2011-2015)
Stormwater biofilters contribute to a sustainable urban environment due to their ability to effectiv...
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Stormwater sediments – A problem for the environment? (2007-2009)
During the last decades a large numbers of stormwater facilities have been constructed in cities and...
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Improving stormwater biofilters (2005-2010)
Mellan 2005 och 2010 har forskargruppen Stadens vattensystem/VA-teknik undersökt dagvatten biofilter...
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Improving green roof performance in demanding climates (2015-2019)
In the project “Improving green roof performance in demanding climates using the ecosystem mimicry c...
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GREEN / BLUE CITIES (2013-2016) - GreenBlue Infrastructure for Sustainable, Attractive Cities
The main objective of this JPI Urban Europe project “GreenBlue Cities” is to develop knowledge and t...
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Sustainable stormwater management (2008-2011)
The development of a sustainable stormwater is slow and the management of the city’s stormwater seem...
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Urban drainage and climate change (completed 2008)
Climate change, e.g. more intense rainfall events, will affect urban drainage systems, and cause pro...
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Assessment and modelling of green infrastructure for urban catchments (2016-2020)
The goal of this project financed by The Swedish Research Council Formas is the improvement and deve...
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Nya Giron (avslutades 2011)
New Giron is an EU funded research and development for a sustainable society with specific focus on ...