Evaluation and Optimization of Low Impact Development Designs for Sustainable Stormwater Management in a Changing Climate

Abstract

The increasing intensity and frequency of extreme storms pose a growing challenge to stormwater management in highly urbanized areas. Without an adequate and appropriate stormwater system, the storms and associated floods will continue to cause significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life. Low Impact Development (LID) has become an emerging alternative to the traditional stormwater system for stormwater management. This study evaluates and optimizes applications of different combinations of LIDs to minimize flows from a catchment under past and future storm conditions. The Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), forced by observed and downscaled precipitation from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6), was used to simulate the runoff and apply the LIDs in the Renton City, WA. The final results show that the performance of LIDs in reducing total runoff volume varies with the types and combinations of LIDs utilized. A 30% to 75% runoff reduction was achieved for the past and future 50 year and 100 year storms. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of LID combinations with conventional stormwater systems to manage the future runoff in the study area, which is expected to increase by 26.3% in 2050.

Improving detention ponds for effective stormwater management and water quality enhancement under future climate change: a simulation study using the PCSWMM model

“…In this study, the model in the PCSWMM is calibrated against the observed flow rates and precipitation. Similar approach is also use by Abduljaleel and Demissie 18 for the same study area to simulate stormwater runoff and find that imperviousness and depression storage are the most vital parameters for calibrating the model. Adjustments in sub-basin width, percentage imperviousness, curve number, and percentage zero storage were also considered for fine tuning the PCSWMM model.…”

“…Among the BMPs, low impact developments (LID) based stormwater management practices are the most prominent and extensively used in cities across the world, with frequent applications mainly focusing on assessing LID—hydrological performance and hydraulic behavior during floods 11 – 15 . Stormwater management practices based on LIDs have shifted the focus of urban stormwater drainage systems that use pipes for storage and infiltration-based systems 16 – 18 . The underlying fundamental principle of LID is to keep the post-development hydrological environment of a location as close to its natural state as possible 16 , 19 .…”

“…Several numerical models such as Distributed Routing Rainfall-Runoff Model (DR3M) 21 , Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment-Low Impact Development (L-THIA-LID) , Personal Computer Storm Water Management Model (PCSWMM) 22 and Urban Drainage and Sewer Model (MOUSE) are developed by various research groups. These models are widely used to assess pollution reduction in urban areas and can simulate the effects of LID on hydrological processes 17 , 18 , 23 . The Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) developed by US EPA is one of the most widely used numerical models in the United States, which readily simulates the performance of LIDs.…”

Identifying Cost-Effective Low-Impact Development (LID) under Climate Change: A Multi-Objective Optimization Approach

“…However, the upgraded culverts failed during the recent severe flooding. Moreover, there will be an approximately 26% increase in the total discharge in the future climate change scenario compared to the historical period in the area, which will further aggravate the flooding problems in the future [64]. The existing drainage systems mainly comprise underground pipes, catch basins, curbs, and gutters, which collect runoff throughout the stormshed and direct it to a detention wetland for retention and natural treatment.…”

“…However, the upgraded culverts failed during the recent severe flooding. Moreover, there will be an approximately 26% increase in the total discharge in the future climate change scenario compared to the historical period in the area, which will further aggravate the flooding problems in the future [64].…”