Stormwater &

Urbanization
An Introduction
Stormwater
Stormwater is water that results from
precipitation in any form and flows over land
surfaces.

Stormwater Runoff
Generated from rain and snowmelt events
that flow over land or impervious surfaces,
such as paved streets, parking lots, and
building rooftops, and does not soak into
the ground.

Urbanization
The increasing number of people that live in
urban areas. It predominantly results in the
physical growth of urban areas, be it
horizontal or vertical.
 HOW ENVIRONMENTS EFFECT
STORMWATER
In landscapes that offer a natural system,
Urbanization leads to increased runoff and
stormwater becomes runoff that’s filtered
decreased infiltration. Lack of vegetation in
of pollutants and other debris by a variety
urban areas prevents natural filtration from
of plants. Runoff then travels to nearby
occurring, allowing stormwater to
water bodies or infiltrates the ground
accumulate contaminants that have been
through previous surfaces, or surfaces
released from anthropogenic sources. This
that allow infiltration to occur. This
polluted stormwater can then infect both
infiltration process is obstructed when
ground and surface water. Excess runoff
naturally occurring landscapes are
caused by urban development can also
disturbed or used for human
lead to flooding and accelerated erosion.
development.
STORMWATER BEHAVIOR IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
The relationship
between
urbanization &
runoff

(Source: Federal Interagency)

STORMWATER RUNOFF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

50%

OF NEW JERSEY'S IMPAIRED WATERBODIES

 Excess Sediment
Human health is at risk
Sediment causes advanced due to pollution
erosion. While natural erosion
Direct risks associated with
produces nearly 30 percent of
stormwater runoff, particularly
the total sediment in the United
in urban settings, include severe
States, accelerated erosion from
illness from exposure to
human use of land accounts for
contaminated water.
the remaining 70 percent

Flood risk increases with

increases in runoff
Natural aquatic habitats
High volumes of stormwater can be degraded
increases the risk of flooding,
In NJ it was found that 31% of all
thus creating a risk for all
freshwaters were not supporting
developed areas and an
aquatic life uses due to high
exceptional risk to high density
phosphorus levels, a contaminant
coastal regions of the U.S. (Like
common in stormwater.
NJ!)
 How the velocity of runoff effects erosion
As observed in the image, when runoff flows over impervious surfaces it can roll over exposed
grain and bring the particles into the flow. These particles are most commonly known as
sediment, and excess amounts harm waterbodies. Through the same motions, pollution can
collect and enter waterbodies as well. In extreme cases, excessive runoff can even increase
flood rates.
 STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT
The main issues that arise with
stormwater runoff come from human
error. We contribute to the pollution GREEN
that is picked up by the runoff as well INFRASTRUCTURE (GI)
as the development of areas that
The range of measures that use plant
would have previously had natural
or soil systems, permeable pavement
features that could have controlled
or other permeable surfaces or
stormwater runoff. To best illustrate
substrates, stormwater harvest and
this, below is a simulation of the
reuse, or landscaping to store,
same area remaining natural VS
infiltrate, or evapotranspirate
becoming urban. While this is a small
stormwater and reduce flows to
scale simulation, it occurs globally on
sewer systems or to surface waters. .
larger scales. To offset these
negative impacts, stormwater
management exists as the means and
efforts put forth to mitigate
environmental degradation.
HOW DOES GI WORK?
Through mimicking the natural
hydrological processes and using
natural elements such as soil and
plants to turn rainfall into a resource
instead of a waste, GI increases the
quality and quantity of local water
supplies and provides myriad other
environmental, economic, and health
benefits—often in nature-starved
urban areas.
HOW DO RAIN GARDENS
WORK? (EXAMPLE OF GI)

Species selection for rain gardens

should include native hardy perennial
species with well- established root
systems that survive in both dry and
wet conditions. The rain garden should
be located in a place where it will
receive runoff, but not too close to the
foundation at hand. A good location is
at Is 10-30 ft from the building. The
main difference between a standard
garden and a rain garden comes with
the root system; where non-native
plants will grow for a season before
potentially disappearing, native plants
create long root systems that allow for
enhanced filtration.
Deeper Understanding
Runoff & Impervious Surfaces
There is a 1,000 sq ft plot of natural ground cover. Using the
numbers from slide 5, assume there is currently 10% runoff.
How many sq ft of pavement, or impervious surface, can be
added without reaching 55% runoff? (Assuming 55% runoff is
equal to 75-100% impervous surface cover)

How GI Can Improve An Environment

If you were supplied with 200 sq ft pervious pavement, or
pavement that mimics the natural environment, what amount
of total pavement including the unlimited fund of impervious
pavement could be applied to the area without reaching 55%
runoff? (Note: cover of pervious surface doesn't cause runoff
to increase!)
Deeper Understanding
How GI can improve an environment
One study found that in comparison to conventional lawns,
rain gardens allow for 30% more water to soak into the
ground. Assume the 1,000 sq ft area above is surrounded by
runoff, and automatically consumes 30% of runoff (this
number is theoretical only). Would you be able to cover 100%
of your plot without reaching 55% runoff when still supplied
the 200 sq ft pervoius pavement in this scenario?
Answers
Part 1
The max amount, assuming 75% cover = 55% runoff rate, is
740 sq ft. This puts the runoff rate somewhere between 30
and 54% as per slide 5.

Part 2
With 200 sq ft of pervious pavement, 940 sq ft could be
covered while maintaing a runoff rate of 54%

Part 3
Assuming runoff is reduced by 30% by surrounding rain
gardens, the entire 1,000 sq ft plot can be paved while
mainting a runoff rate between 25%
 LARGE SCALE UNDERSTANDING
The example scenario of the 1,000 sq/ft lot displayed how GI can bring together urbanization and
the natural environment. Pervious pavement allowed for further impervious cover without
increasing runoff rates. The introduction of rain gardens surrounding the plot allowed for full
impervious cover with runoff rates lower than that of all other scenarios.