STAUFFER 2012 Stormwater Management 120531 - 3

Stormwater Management
Beat Stauffer, seecon international gmbh
Stormwater Management 1
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The contents of the SSWM Toolbox reflect the opinions of the respective authors and not necessarily the official opinion of the funding or
supporting partner organisations.
Depending on the initial situations and respective local circumstances, there is no guarantee that single measures described in the toolbox
will make the local water and sanitation system more sustainable. The main aim of the SSWM Toolbox is to be a reference tool to provide
ideas for improving the local water and sanitation situation in a sustainable manner. Results depend largely on the respective situation and
the implementation and combination of the measures described. An in-depth analysis of respective advantages and disadvantages and the
suitability of the measure is necessary in every single case. We do not assume any responsibility for and make no warranty with respect to
the results that may be obtained from the use of the information provided.
Stormwater Management
Contents
1. Concept (Rural and Urban)

2. How can Stormwater Management Optimise SSWM
3. Design Principles (Storage and Infiltration Types)
4. Health and Costs
5. Operation and Maintenance
6. Applicability
7. Pros and Cons
8. References
1. Concept
What is Stormwater Management?
Why:
•Surface runoff has to be reduced to prevent flooding
•Especially in urbanised areas where natural infiltration is reduced
•Sediments and Pollutants (e.g. nutrients from agriculture) must be
removed
How:
•Temporary storage (e.g. retention ponds, rainwater harvesting)
•Infiltration (e.g. grass filter stripes, infiltration basin)
1. Concept
Rural Stormwater Management
Causes: heavy rainfalls, storms, roads, buildings, overstrained sewer

systems
Impacts: flooding and stream erosion
Benefit of flood events and precipitation: use this water for irrigation
Some available techniques:
Spate irrigation
Micro basins
Sand Dams
Field trenches
Rainwater harvesting
Flooded agricultural land after a storm event. Source: ARC
(2010)
1. Concept
Rural Stormwater Harvesting
Rooftop harvesting and storage for

further use. Source: DOLMAN & LUNDQUIST (2008)
Spate irrigation system Yemen. Source: FAO (2012)
Sand accumulates until the

dam is completely full of
sand up to the spillway.
Water is stored within the
sand, protected and
filtered, making up to 40 %
of the total volume. Source: ED
(n.y.)
1. Concept
Urban Stormwater Management (CSIR 2000; PARKINSON et al. 2010)
Human settlements disturb the natural water cycle and creates floods
and water pollution:
 Natural vegetation is often removed and rivers are canalised
Surfaces are impermeable
Groundwater resources decrease, fresh water becomes scarce
Let’s upgrade the urban water cycle! Source: AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL (2010)
1. Concept
Urban Stormwater Management – IUWM Approach (UNEP 2009)
Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM):

The practice of managing freshwater, wastewater, and stormwater as
links within the resource management structure, using an urban area
as the unit of management.
Including:
•Consumption efficiency
•Ensure water quality
•Alternative sources (e.g. rainwater)
•Engage communities
•Establish and implement policies and strategies
•Support capacity development of personnel and institutions
•Improve economic efficiency of services
2. How it can optimise SSWM

Stormwater Management helps to collect, treat and (re-)use runoff
water; to avoid contamination and destruction; and to restore the
disturbed urban water cycle!
Source: SEECON (2010)

Source: SEECON (2010)
3. Design Principles
Urban Stormwater Management – An Overview
There are several techniques to manage surface runoff. They are

divided in two groups:
Storage Type Devices

Infiltration Type Devices
What technique is implemented

should be decided on local
conditions and responsible planers.
The sewer system cannot handle the volume of

runoff. Source: USGS (2009)
3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices

Detention Ponds (PARKINSON et al. 2010; NJDEP 2004)
• Excavated reservoirs or natural depressions.

• Dry during low flow periods -> temporary storage during flood
events
• Stormwater should stored long enough to settle solids
Extended Detention
Basin Components.
Source: NJDEP (2004)

Retention Ponds (PARKINSON et al. 2010)
• Primarily designed to improve stormwater quality.

• Secondary for flood control devices.
• Retention Ponds do not dry out, water stays between 2 and 4 weeks.
• Water quality improvement mainly through settling.
A retention pond with additional aeration,

which improves aquatic life and pollutant
removal. Source: KASCO MARINE (n.y.)

Onsite Detention (OSD) (PARKINSON et al. 2010; UPRCT n.y.)
• Collecting stormwater on-site (e.g. on a private property).

• Storing it for a certain time and release it slowly or (re-)use it.
• Used in urban and residential areas.
A possible OSD design with modular tank boxes.

Source: ATLANTIS (n.y.)

Rainwater Harvesting (TRCA & CVC 2010)
• Can be used in urban and rural areas.

• Reducing of stormwater runoff and storage of potable water
• Water can be used for irrigation, as flush water for toilets or, after
purification, as drinking water.
Rooftop
rainwater
harvesting in
Urban Areas
using a
Plastic Tank.
Source: VISHWANATH
(n.y.)

Green Roofs (living roofs) (TRCA & CVC 2010)
• Vegetated roofs on flat or sloped roofs.

• They improve energy efficiency, reduce urban heat effect and
create green spaces.
• Reducing peak flow (storing a certain volume of rainwater)
Green Roof in Basel, Switzerland.

Source: GREENROOFDESIGN (2008)

Constructed Wetlands (Auckland CITY COUNCIL 2010; METROCOUNCIL n.y.)
• Designed to manage peak flows and to improve water quality of

surface runoff.
• Restoring natural habitats in cities (recreation, birdlife, etc.).
A possible design is a pond/wetland

system. First pond (left) reduces
velocity and removes pollutants. The
shallow marsh system stores water and
is an additional treatment. Source:
METROCOUNCIL (n.y.)
3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices

Infiltration Trenches (DEP & CZM 1997; PARKINSON et al. 2010)
• Shallow excavations filled with uniformly crushed stones.

• Walls and top lined with geotextile to avoid sediment penetration.
• Runoff infiltrates through the trenches into the subsoil.
• Treatment occurs during infiltration.
• Constructed beside streets and outdoor parking lots.
Design of
infiltration
trenches. Source: RIVERSIDE
(n.y.) and SUSTAINABLE
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (2007)

Grass Filter Stripes (BARR ENGINEERING COMPANY 2001)
• Densely vegetated and graded areas.

• Slowing runoff velocity, trapping sediments and pollutants and
providing modest infiltration.
Grass filter stripe in combination with infiltration trenches (stone drop) and forest filter. Source: BARR
ENGINEERING COMPANY (2001)

Grassed Swales (PARKINSON et al. 2010; TRCA & CVC 2010)
• Open grassed channels, which allow an infiltration along the

course.
• Check dams and vegetation reduce velocity, and allow
sedimentation, infiltration, evapotranspiration and contaminant
removal.
Enhanced grass
swales feature
check dams that
temporarily pond
runoff to increase
pollutant
retention and
infiltration and
decrease flow
velocity. Source: TRCA &
CVC (2010)

Pervious Pavements (TECOECO n.y.)
• Permeable pavement surface with a stone reservoir underneath.

• Reservoir stores runoff water temporarily.
• Afterwards, stored water is subsurface drained or infiltrates into
the subsoil.
A theoretical cross section of porous pavement (left) and porous pavement during a
demonstration. Source: TECOECO (n.y.)

Infiltration Basin (NJDEP 2004)
• Constructed facility with highly permeable soils.

• Water infiltrates into surrounding soil and gets treated.
An infiltration
basin. Source: VUSP (n.y.)
4. Health and Costs

Health Aspect
• General aim: protect health, welfare and safety of the public.
• The described technologies all have ecological treatment effects.
• Illegal solid waste disposal or connection of sewer system to the
stormwater drainage systems can endanger the public health.
• High sedimentation loads could clock infiltration systems and lead
to ponding water surfaces mosquito breeding.
Costs
• Costs depend on the technology, topography and expert
knowledge.
• A proper stormwater management avoids high costs caused by
flood damages.
• Collected water can be reused for groundwater recharge, urban
landscaping or farming, etc.
5. Operation and Maintenance

A proper organised O&M service is essential to:
Extend the lifespam of stormwater systems.
Improve the site drainage.
Reduce pollution entering surface waters and groundwater.
6. Applicability
• Necessary in every urban or rural settlement to:
 Protect human health;
 Prevent water pollution;
 Collect and (re-)use precipitation water;
 Prevent damages on infrastructure
• It has to be adapted to the local conditions (climate, topography,
resources, etc.)
7. Pros and Cons

Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Proper drainage of surface run-off • Expert planning, implementation,
• Collected water can be reused for operation and maintenance
groundwater recharge, urban required
landscaping or farming, etc. • Depending on technique a lot of
• Treatment of stormwater in a operation and labour
very early stage • Risk of clogging infiltration
• Avoids damages on infrastructure system caused by high
(private properties, streets, sedimentation rates.
etc.); flood prevention
• Can be integrated into the urban
landscape and provide green and
recreational areas
8. References
ATLANTIS (Editor) (n.y.): Modular Underground Tanks System. Sidney: Atlantis. URL:
http://www.atlantiscorp.com.au/brochures/Atlantis_Matrix_Tank.pdf [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL (Editor) (2010): Stormwater. Auckland: Auckland City Council. URL:
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/services/stormwater/default.asp [Accessed 27.02.2012]
ARC (Editor) (2010): The Countryside Living Toolbox: A Guide for the Management of Stormwater Discharges in Countryside Living
Areas in the Auckland Region. Auckland: Auckland Regional Council (ARC). URL:
http://www.rodney.govt.nz/DistrictTownPlanning/infrastructure/water/Documents/CountrysideLivingGuideToolbox_Backgroun
d.pdf
[Accessed: 07.03.2012]
BARR ENGINEERING COMPANY (2001): Urban Small Sites Best Management Practice Manual. Filter Stripes. St. Paul: Metropolitan
Council Environmental Services. URL: http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/water/bmp/manual.htm [Accessed:
28.02.2012]
CSIR (Editor) (2000): Guidelines for Human Settlement Planning and Design. Pretoria: CSIR Building and Construction Technology.
URL: http://www.csir.co.za/Built_environment/RedBook/Vol_II/Chapter_06/Chapter_06_Vol_IIa.pdf [Accessed: 23.02.2012]
DEP (Editor); CZM (Editor) (1997): Stormwater Management. Bosten: MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and MA
Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). URL: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/swmpolv2.pdf [Accessed: 27.02.2012]
DOLMAN, B.; LUNDQUIST, K. (2008): Roof Water Harvesting for a low Impact Water Supply: Featuring the Brazilian Ball Pre-Filter
System: A Case Study. Occidental: The WATER Institute Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) . URL:
http://www.oaecwater.com/files/ROOF-WATER-HARVESTING-3MB.pdf [Accessed: 14.03.2011]
ED (Editor) (n.y.): Pioneers of Sand Dams. Brentford: EXCELLENT DEVELOPMENT (ED). URL:
http://www.excellentdevelopment.com/ [Accessed: 20.04.2011]
FAO (Editor) (2010): Guidelines on Spate Irrigation. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). URL:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1680e/i1680e.pdf [Accessed: 28.06.2011]
GREENROOFDESIGN (Editor) (2008): Messehalle Basel. Zurich/London: Green Roof Design. URL:
http://www.greenroofdesign.ch/archives_de/cat_messehallebasel.html [Accessed: 04.06.2012]
KASCO MARINE (Editor) (n.y.): Retention Ponds. Prescott: Kasco Marine, Inc. URL:
http://www.gotalgae.com/retention_ponds.pdf [Accessed: 31.05.2012]
METROCOUNCIL (Editor) (n.y.): Constructed Wetlands: Stormwater Wetlands. Saint Paul: Metropolitan Council. URL:
http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/water/bmp/CH3_STConstWLSwWetland.pdf [Accessed: 21.02.2012].
NJDP (2004): Standard for Infiltration Basins. New Jersey: Department of Environmental Protection.URL:
http://www.njstormwater.org/tier_A/pdf/NJ_SWBMP_9.5.pdf [Accessed 28.02.2012]
8. References
PARKINSON, J.N.; GOLDENFUM, J.A.; C.E.M. TUCCI (2010): Integrated Urban Water Management: Humid. Paris: UNESCO.
UNEP (Editor) (2009): Integrated Urban Water Management. Osaka: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). URL:
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/brochures/iuwm.pdf [Accessed: 27.02.2012]
RIVERSIDES (n.y.): Infiltration Trenches. Toronto: RiverSides Stewardship Alliance. URL:
http://www.riversides.org/rainguide/riversides_hgr.php?cat=2&page=39&subpage=92&subpage2=43 [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (2007): Infiltration Trenches. URL:
http://sustainablestormwater.org/2007/05/23/infiltration-trenches/ [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
TECOECO (n.y.): Permeconcrete. Glenorchy: TecEco Pty Ltd. URL: http://www.tececo.com/technical.permecocrete.php
[Accessed: 05.03.2012]
TRCA (Editor); CVC (Editor) (2010): Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Planning and Design Guide. Downsview and
Mississauga: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (CVC). URL:
http://www.sustainabletechnologies.ca/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/LID%20SWM%20Guide%20-%20v1.0_2010_1_no
%20appendices.pdf [27.02.2012]
UPRCT (n.y.): What is On-site Stormwater Detention? Parramatta: Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust (UPRCT). URL:
http://www.stormwater.net.au/Downloads/OSD-simple.pdf [Accessed: 28.02.2012]
USGS (Editor) (2009): Miscellaneous September 2009 Flooding Pictures. Reston: United States Geological Survey (USGS). URL:
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/flood/flooding-sept09/images/miscellaneous/ [Accessed: 31.05.2012]
VUSP (Editor) (n.y.): Design Components. Villanova: Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership (VUSP). URL:
http://www3.villanova.edu/vusp/bmp_research/bio_traffic/bio_des_comp.htm [Accessed: 04.06.2012]
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Stormwater Management

Beat Stauffer, seecon international gmbh

Copyright & Disclaimer

1. Concept (Rural and Urban)

Causes: heavy rainfalls, storms, roads, buildings, overstrained sewer

Rooftop harvesting and storage for

Sand accumulates until the

Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM):

2. How it can optimise SSWM

Source: SEECON (2010)

There are several techniques to manage surface runoff. They are

Storage Type Devices

What technique is implemented

The sewer system cannot handle the volume of

3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices

• Excavated reservoirs or natural depressions.

3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices

• Primarily designed to improve stormwater quality.

A retention pond with additional aeration,

3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices

• Collecting stormwater on-site (e.g. on a private property).

A possible OSD design with modular tank boxes.

3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices

• Can be used in urban and rural areas.

3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices

• Vegetated roofs on flat or sloped roofs.

Green Roof in Basel, Switzerland.

3. Design Principles – Storage Type Devices

• Designed to manage peak flows and to improve water quality of

A possible design is a pond/wetland

3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices

• Shallow excavations filled with uniformly crushed stones.

3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices

• Densely vegetated and graded areas.

3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices

• Open grassed channels, which allow an infiltration along the

3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices

• Permeable pavement surface with a stone reservoir underneath.

3. Design Principles – Infiltration Type Devices

• Constructed facility with highly permeable soils.

4. Health and Costs

5. Operation and Maintenance

7. Pros and Cons

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