Urban hydrology and water management— Present and future challenges

Urban Water (Elsevier) | March 1st, 1999

Urban hydrology is an applied science that will have an increasing role to play in the sustainability of human societies. Facing present growth of urban population, it is

Urban hydrology is an applied science that will have an increasing role to play in the sustainability of human societies. Facing present growth of urban population, it is increasingly difficult to find and utilize new sources of water necessary to satisfy growing water demand. For the poor, the residents of peri-urban and squatter areas, an ultimate poverty, the poverty of lacking clean water, is a result. To remove this kind of poverty should be a first priority target for all people and, especially, for people dealing with water management in urban areas. Growth of urban areas brings significant changes in physical properties of land surface increasing integrated vulnerability of inhabitants, agricultural land and rural ecological life supporting systems. Performance of technical solutions depends on climate as well as on social, economical and cultural conditions. Findings from urban hydrological studies based on collection of urban hydrological data, calculations and modeling constitute a necessary fundamental for meaningful water management not only in urban areas but also in entire river basins. Future challenges in urban water management include development of new technical solutions as well as logistic and organizational methods in order to turn present problems into future opportunities. The following current and emerging challenges are discussed in the paper: delivery of drinking water supply for growing cities, water for sanitation versus sanitation without water, recycling of wastewater nutrients, wastewater irrigation, urban agriculture, water to feed depleted aquifers, thoughts about possible future new system solutions, social equity and transfer of knowledge and new technology.

Urban Levee Design Criteria

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | May 15th, 2012

The Urban Levee Design Criteria (ULDC) provides engineering criteria and guidance for the design, evaluation, operation, and maintenance of levees and floodwalls that pro

The Urban Levee Design Criteria (ULDC) provides engineering criteria and guidance for the design, evaluation, operation, and maintenance of levees and floodwalls that provide an urban level of flood protection (i.e., 200-year level of flood protection) in California, as well as for determining design water surface elevations (DWSE) along leveed and unleveed streams. Other topics beyond design and evaluation are presented to provide reasonable assurance that once a levee or floodwall is found to provide an urban level of flood protection, it will continue to do so. RELATED CONTENT: Urban Level of Flood Protection Criteria

Urban Level of Flood Protection Criteria

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | November 12th, 2013

The Urban Level of Flood Protection Criteria was developed in response to requirements from the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008, enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 5

The Urban Level of Flood Protection Criteria was developed in response to requirements from the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008, enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 5 (2007), to strengthen the link between flood management and land use. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) developed these criteria as a systematic approach to assist affected cities and counties within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley in making findings related to an urban level of flood protection before approving certain land-use decisions. In preparing these criteria, DWR used its broad experience and expertise in flood management and planning to address concerns related to flood protection and flood risk management. RELATED CONTENT: Urban Levee Design Criteria

Urban Stormwater Hydrology

American Geophysical Union (AGU) | January 1st, 1982

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Water Resources Monograph Series, Volume 7. This monograph has been written over the last 2 years by eight m

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Water Resources Monograph Series, Volume 7. This monograph has been written over the last 2 years by eight members of the AGU Urban Hydrology Committee as a means of conveying state-of-the-art practices in the expanding field of urban hydrology and stormwater management. Although numerous references to on-going research are cited, the monograph is intended to serve primarily as a practical guide to methods and models currently in use to analyze different types of stormwater management problems. With this objective in mind, the authors have made a special effort to include examples which help illustrate the steps in a particular procedure or analysis. The monograph presumes a basic background in hydrology and makes no real effort to present conventional procedures which can be found readily in available hydrology textbooks. However, the detailed example calculations in Chapters 2, 3, and 4 should assist the unfamiliar reader in understanding basic hydrologic computations related to urban rainfall-runoff analysis. Given this coverage, the monograph should be useful as a reference to practicing engineers and urban planners as well as to graduate students in engineering-environmental disciplines with career interests in the growing field of urban hydrology and stormwater management.

Urban stormwater management in 2050

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) | May 17th, 2009

During the past 40 years, urban stormwater management has evolved from focus on drainage and flood control to inclusion of stormwater quality associated with nonpoint pol

During the past 40 years, urban stormwater management has evolved from focus on drainage and flood control to inclusion of stormwater quality associated with nonpoint pollution. This paper projects what the urban stormwater field could look like in the year 2050. The projections are based on our best judgments as to the internal and external drivers that are expected to change the field during the next 40 years. Relevant projections by other stormwater groups are reviewed. Anticipated changes include the growing interest in stormwater reuse, on-site control of stormwater using a variety of low impact development alternatives, generation and accretion of recalcitrant residuals, toxics and chemicals as well as changing temporal and spatial phenomena of the urban hydrologic cycle due to changes in climate and patterns of urban settlement. Key expected drivers of changing attitudes are the greatly increasing relative cost of providing water and energy; greater concern about developing more sustainable green materials and infrastructure systems; and technological advances that will allow proactive management of urban stormwater systems using real time control and including source controls.

Urban Stormwater Runoff Management (Resource Management Strategy)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 29th, 2016

Urban stormwater runoff management is a broad series of activities to manage both stormwater and dry-weather runoff. Dry-weather runoff occurs when, for example, excess l

Urban stormwater runoff management is a broad series of activities to manage both stormwater and dry-weather runoff. Dry-weather runoff occurs when, for example, excess landscape irrigation water flows to the storm drain. Traditionally, urban stormwater runoff management was viewed as a response to flood control concerns resulting from the effects of urbanization. Concerns about the water quality impacts of urban runoff have led water agencies to look at watershed approaches to control runoff and provide other benefits. The traditional approach to runoff management views urban runoff as a flood management problem in which water needs to be conveyed as quickly as possible from urban areas to waterways in order to protect public safety and property. Consequently, precipitation-induced runoff in urban areas has been viewed as waste, and not a resource. Urbanization alters flow pathways, water storage, pollutant levels, rates of evaporation, groundwater recharge, surface runoff, the timing and extent of flooding, the sediment yield of rivers, and the suitability and viability of aquatic habitats. The traditional approach to managing urban and stormwater runoff has generally been successful at preventing flood damage, but it has several disadvantages. In order to convey water quickly, natural waterways are often straightened and lined with concrete, resulting in a loss of habitat and impacts on natural stream physical and biological processes. Urbanization creates impervious surfaces, meaning stormwater does not infiltrate into subsurface aquifers. These impervious surfaces collect pollutants that are washed off to surface waters when it rains. The impervious surfaces also increase runoff volumes and velocities, resulting in streambank erosion, and potential flooding problems downstream. Because of the emphasis on removing the water quickly, the opportunity to use storm-generated runoff for multiple benefits is reduced. A watershed approach for urban stormwater runoff management tries to emulate and preserve the natural hydrologic cycle that is altered by urbanization. The watershed approach consists of a series of best management practices (BMPs) designed to reduce the pollutant loading and reduce the volumes and velocities of urban runoff discharged to surface waters. Some BMPs include facilities to capture, treat, and recharge groundwater with urban runoff; public education campaigns to inform the public about stormwater pollution, including the proper use and disposal of household chemicals; and technical assistance and stormwater pollution prevention training.

Urban water affordability crisis exacerbated by climate change

NATure Portfolio (Springer Nature) | July 8th, 2026

Urban water and electricity demand data for understanding climate change impacts on the water-energy nexus

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | January 23rd, 2024

Urban Water Conservation and Efficiency Potential in California

Pacific Institute | June 10th, 2014

Improving urban water-use efficiency is a key solution to California’s short-term and long-term water challenges: from drought to unsustainable groundwater use to growi

Improving urban water-use efficiency is a key solution to California’s short-term and long-term water challenges: from drought to unsustainable groundwater use to growing tensions over limited supplies. Reducing unnecessary water withdrawals leaves more water in reservoirs and aquifers for future use and has tangible benefits to fish and other wildlife in our rivers and estuaries. In addition, improving water-use efficiency and reducing waste can save energy, lower water and wastewater treatment costs, and eliminate the need for costly new infrastructure.

Urban Water Conservation in the Sacramento, California Region During the 2014-2016 Drought

ProQuest Dissertations Publishing | December 30th, 2019