Alternative Stormwater Management

Stormwater management has become a major issue in the context of growing urbanization and contemporary environmental challenges.

Stormwater includes all precipitation such as rain, snow and hail. It forms water flows that interact with a multitude of surfaces, both natural and man-made. Its behavior in the urban environment is of particular concern, as the sealing of soils due to urban infrastructures significantly increases runoff, increasing the risk of flooding and degradation of water quality and receiving environments.

Water management is based on quantitative objectives – to prevent flooding and control water volumes – and qualitative objectives to prevent pollution of receiving environments.

Faced with the limitations of traditional approaches that focus on the rapid evacuation of water, Alternative Rainwater Management (ARWM) proposes a new, more sustainable vision, inspired by natural processes. By incorporating innovative solutions such as rain gardens and green infrastructure, GAEP aims not only to reduce the risk of flooding, but also to preserve biodiversity and urban ecosystems.

This document explores the different aspects of stormwater management, highlighting their environmental impact, the challenges posed by inadequate management, and the contribution of alternative and decentralized solutions to improving the resilience of our infrastructures to rainfall events.