Urban runoff: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:36, 10 February 2025

Urban Runoff

Urban runoff is surface runoff of rainwater created by urbanization. This runoff is a major component of the water cycle in urban areas and can lead to significant environmental issues, including water pollution and flooding.

Causes

Urban runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and rooftops. These surfaces prevent water from naturally soaking into the ground, leading to increased runoff volumes and flow rates.

Environmental Impact

Urban runoff can carry a variety of pollutants, including oil, grease, heavy metals, and sediments, into nearby water bodies. This can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems.

Management Strategies

To mitigate the effects of urban runoff, various stormwater management practices are employed. These include the use of percolation trenches, oil-grit separators, and green infrastructure such as green roofs and rain gardens.

Case Studies

In many cities, efforts are underway to reduce urban runoff through improved infrastructure and public awareness campaigns. For example, New Orleans has implemented projects to enhance its stormwater management systems.

Related Pages

References

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-'''Urban runoff''' is a form of [[surface runoff]] that is generated by [[urbanization]]. It is characterized by the rapid flow of rainwater from roofs, roads, and other man-made surfaces to [[storm drains]], which often lead directly to [[rivers]], [[lakes]], and [[oceans]]. This runoff can carry pollutants, sediment, and other materials into these bodies of water, potentially causing significant environmental damage.
+== Urban Runoff ==
-==Causes of Urban Runoff==
+[[File:Storm_Drain.JPG|thumb|A storm drain designed to manage urban runoff.]]
-Urban runoff is primarily caused by [[rainfall]] and [[snowmelt]] that occurs on impervious surfaces, such as roads, parking lots, and rooftops. These surfaces prevent water from infiltrating into the ground, leading to increased runoff. Other contributing factors include the removal of vegetation and soil, changes in topography, and the construction of drainage networks and other infrastructure.
+'''Urban runoff''' is surface [[runoff]] of rainwater created by [[urbanization]]. This runoff is a major component of the [[water cycle]] in urban areas and can lead to significant environmental issues, including [[water pollution]] and [[flooding]].
-==Impacts of Urban Runoff==
+== Causes ==
-Urban runoff can have a number of negative impacts on the environment and human health. These include:
+Urban runoff occurs when [[precipitation]] from rain or snowmelt flows over [[impervious surfaces]] such as [[roads]], [[parking lots]], and [[rooftops]]. These surfaces prevent water from naturally soaking into the ground, leading to increased runoff volumes and flow rates.
-* '''[[Water pollution]]''': Urban runoff can carry a variety of pollutants into bodies of water. These can include [[heavy metals]], [[pesticides]], [[oil]] and [[grease]], [[litter]], and [[fecal coliform bacteria]]. This pollution can harm aquatic life and make water unsafe for human use.
+[[File:Natural_&_impervious_cover_diagrams_EPA.jpg|thumb|Diagram showing natural and impervious cover.]]
-* '''[[Erosion]] and [[sedimentation]]''': The increased volume and speed of urban runoff can cause erosion and sedimentation in rivers and streams. This can degrade habitats and harm aquatic life.
+== Environmental Impact ==
-* '''[[Flooding]]''': Urban runoff can increase the risk of flooding, particularly in areas with inadequate drainage infrastructure.
+Urban runoff can carry a variety of pollutants, including [[oil]], [[grease]], [[heavy metals]], and [[sediments]], into nearby [[water bodies]]. This can degrade [[water quality]] and harm [[aquatic ecosystems]].
-* '''[[Heat island effect]]''': Impervious surfaces can increase the temperature of urban runoff, which can then raise the temperature of receiving bodies of water. This can harm aquatic life and contribute to the heat island effect.
+[[File:Large_oil_slick_in_parking_lot_of_Tenleytown_McDonald's.jpg|thumb|Oil slick in a parking lot, a common source of urban runoff pollution.]]
-==Management of Urban Runoff==
+== Management Strategies ==
-There are a number of strategies for managing urban runoff, including:
+To mitigate the effects of urban runoff, various [[stormwater management]] practices are employed. These include the use of [[percolation trenches]], [[oil-grit separators]], and [[green infrastructure]] such as [[green roofs]] and [[rain gardens]].
-* '''[[Green infrastructure]]''': This includes practices such as [[rain gardens]], [[green roofs]], and [[permeable pavement]], which can absorb and filter runoff.
+[[File:Percolation_trench.jpg|thumb|A percolation trench used to manage stormwater.]]
-* '''[[Stormwater management]]''': This includes the use of [[storm drains]], [[detention basins]], and other infrastructure to control runoff and prevent flooding.
+== Case Studies ==
-* '''[[Pollution prevention]]''': This includes practices such as street sweeping, litter control, and the proper disposal of hazardous materials.
+In many cities, efforts are underway to reduce urban runoff through improved infrastructure and public awareness campaigns. For example, [[New Orleans]] has implemented projects to enhance its stormwater management systems.
-==See Also==
+[[File:Walking_in_the_Rain_New_Orleans.jpg|thumb|Walking in the rain in New Orleans, a city affected by urban runoff.]]
-* [[Water cycle]]
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Stormwater management]]
 * [[Water pollution]]
-* [[Stormwater]]
+* [[Green infrastructure]]
-* [[Sustainable urban drainage systems]]
-* [[Low-impact development (North America)]]
+== References ==
+{{Reflist}}
-[[Category:Hydrology]]
 [[Category:Water pollution]]
-[[Category:Urban planning]]
+[[Category:Urban studies and planning]]
-[[Category:Environmental science]]
-{{environment-stub}}