Research on Stormwater Quantity
In keeping with many parts of the world, Sweden is undergoing rapid climate change. Temperatures are predicted to increase by 3-5oC by 2080 leading to changes in precipitation, with more rainfall occurring in autumn, winter and spring seasons leading to increased runoff rates and volumes. In particular, the frequency of extreme short-term rainfall events is predicted to increase, leading to increased winter floods.
Warmer temperatures will increase rates of evaporation contributing to an increasing number of low flow days in rivers and occurrences of drought across many parts of Sweden. With 85% of Sweden’s population living in urban areas, how we manage rainfall in urban areas has a huge impact on quality of life from physical and mental health wellbeing perspectives.
The largely impermeable nature of cities can result in the generation of large volumes of stormwater over short periods of time. Traditional piped systems are increasingly overwhelmed with stormwater flows viewed as a wastewater to be disposed of as quickly as possible as opposed to a resource to meet local (non-potable) demands.
DRIZZLE researchers are leading the way nationally and internationally as we identify, evaluate and implement a range of approaches to facilitate a shift in how we view and manage stormwater flows. From field studies evaluating flood mitigation measures to reducing modelling uncertainties and the novel use of sponge like materials to provide ‘pop-up’ flood mitigation, it’s been a busy year for the DRIZZLE stormwater quantity researchers.
Scientific leader and co-leader: Lian Lundy and Ico Broekhuizen
Current projects
-
Integrating novel field data sets
Modelling blue-green infrastructure performance – integrating novel field data sets.
-
Performance under a changing climate
Modelling blue-green infrastructure performance under a changing climate. One outcome of our earlier urban drainage modelling performance research was recognition of the need to better understand the hydrological performance of a range of BGI components under both current and future Swedish climati...
-
Reducing uncertainties
Modelling blue-green infrastructure performance – reducing uncertainties.
-
The Sponge
Climate change has made cloud-bursts with subsequent floods more common. In this R&I project, researchers are working to find new ways to capture large amounts of water by placing materials that absorb stormwater in cities. The R&I is conducted based on three main concepts: