Sweden's largest research group tackles future stormwater challenges

On September 24, Stormwater Day is celebrated - a day that focuses on the water that flows on our streets when rain and snow melt. Luleå University of Technology has Sweden's largest research group in Urban Water Engineering, with 51 researchers, many of whom are working to find solutions for how we can better manage stormwater in the cities of the future.

The research group develops methods that both reduce the risk of flooding, minimize pollution to lakes and rivers and take advantage of the opportunities of stormwater. A particular profile is the research on stormwater in northern cities with long winters and large amounts of snow.

From flow to quality

One of the researchers is collaborative doctoral student Ronja Nybom, who wants to shift the focus from just dealing with water quantities to also looking at what stormwater actually contains.

- We are used to hearing warnings about floods, but more rarely do we talk about what the rains bring in the form of microplastics, heavy metals and other pollutants, says Ronja Nybom, PhD student at Luleå University of Technology.

In her research, she compares different methods for treating stormwater, including wetlands, biofilters and biochar filters, within the national project ISWIM, Innovative Stormwater Management for a Sustainable Society. The aim is to develop space-efficient systems that can be integrated into our cities.

- Reducing pollution in our waters is not only important for water companies, but also for everyone who swims, fishes or otherwise uses our lakes and rivers. And of course for nature itself, where entire ecosystems depend on clean water.

Compact solutions for crowded cities

Another researcher is industrial PhD student Talat Kemal Satilmisoglu, who focuses on compact treatment solutions that are prefabricated - that is, manufactured in advance as ready-made modules that can be quickly installed on site. In Boden, he is conducting field studies on an underground system, a so-called Stormwater Vault, which treats stormwater through sedimentation and filtration.

- Stormwater is a major contributor to water pollution in urban areas. Traditional solutions such as ponds and wetlands require large areas, which is not always possible in dense urban environments. My research is about developing space and resource efficient systems that work even where space is limited, says Talat Kemal Satilmisoglu, Industrial PhD student at Luleå University of Technology.

His work combines scientific analysis with practical test environments and aims to develop next generation technologies.

- I want to contribute with knowledge about how these systems work in reality, give municipalities and authorities a better basis for decision-making and eventually improve the technology so that we get more sustainable cities, he says.

Research that meets real-world needs

With a focus on both water quality and space-efficient solutions, the research group in Urban Water Engineering at Luleå University of Technology contributes to meeting some of the biggest challenges for future communities. When Stormwater Day is recognized, it is also a reminder that the water on our streets is not just a problem - it can become a resource, if we learn to manage it properly.

• Read more about our research team
• Read more about Stormwater Day