STORMWATER from rain to receiving water

Within this theme, scientists monitor stormwater all the way from rain fall to the receiving water. The theme is led by Heléne Österlund and Godecke Blecken.

Stormwater management, ie runoff from roads and streets, has long been a matter of most efficiently diverting rainwater to the nearest receiving waters (rivers), regardless of the quality of the water and, for example, the sedimentary deposits that stormwater causes in those water bodies. Today, we know that stormwater can be both acutely toxic and that it can have a detrimental effect on the environment in the long term, and in order to reduce the environmental impact of the stormwater, swales, open ponds and stormwater biofilters have been added to the drainage system. More focus is also placed on the substances we implement in society and that pollute the stormwater and more effective treatment techniques have begun to be sought. The Framework Directive requiring that the quality of Europe's lakes should be preserved or enhanced focuses on the relationship stormwater - receiving water.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of floods, where either sewer systems or nearby watercourses have been unable to manage the occurring flows. According to climate scientists, precipitation will change in the future as a result of climate change, which will lead to more intense rainfall, heavy snowfall during the winter as well as changes in wet versus dry periods.

To achieve a sustainable storm water management, quality, quantity and disposal has to be taken into consideration, all with respect to both environment, health, technology and the economy. Although various types of risks associated with stormwater should be managed under the concept of perseverance. In other words, a large number of factors needs to be taken into consideration for the best overall solution.

Research projects

The research projects in this field are concentrating on several focus areas:
• Pollutants: sources, transport and receiving water impact
• Stormwater treatment
• Retention and climate adaptation
• Snow management
• Sampling
• Urban drainage processes
• Multifunctional stormwater infrastructure
• Modelling of stormwater transport and quality

• Current research projects in stormwater