Embracing the Power of Rainwater: A Pathway to Urban Resilience
Rainwater, a precious resource that descends from the sky, often goes untapped in our cities. But what if I told you that this free, clean water could be the key to building a more resilient and sustainable urban future? Let’s dive into the science and cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping the way we manage stormwater and revolutionizing how communities engage with this essential resource.
As climate change fuels an increase in extreme weather events, communities across the United States are facing the perfect storm – a combination of aging infrastructure, rising flood risks, and dwindling water supplies. The signs are all around us: from prolonged droughts to devastating floods, our traditional approaches to freshwater management are proving woefully inadequate.
But the solution may lie in our own backyards, or rather, the rooftops and streets of our cities. By harnessing the power of rainwater and rethinking our relationship with stormwater, we can create a more resilient and sustainable urban future. This is where the pioneering work of Inland Waters comes into play.
Uncovering the Untapped Potential of Rainwater
Did you know that the amount of runoff generated in US cities each year – a staggering 20 trillion gallons – is nearly the same as the volume of water these cities consume for municipal and industrial purposes? That’s an astounding statistic, one that highlights the vast untapped potential of rainwater as a valuable freshwater resource.
But the problem is that our cities are designed to quickly evacuate this water, treating it as a nuisance rather than an asset. Vast expanses of impervious surfaces, like roofs and pavement, block rainwater from seeping into the earth, turning it into polluted runoff that overwhelms our aging stormwater systems.
This is where the team at Inland Waters is leading the charge in transforming the way we manage urban stormwater. By harnessing the power of scientific research and cutting-edge technology, they are developing innovative and sustainable water management solutions that aim to optimize freshwater use and revolutionize how communities engage with this essential resource.
Embracing the Power of Stormwater GIS
At the heart of Inland Waters’ approach is the concept of Stormwater GIS – a comprehensive framework that brings together data, modeling, and mapping to inform effective, locally tailored stormwater management strategies.
“The power of stormwater compliance data is unlocked by bringing them all together in a Stormwater GIS framework,” explains Nicole Beck, Ph.D., the visionary founder and CEO of Inland Waters. “From outfall inspections to catch basin cleaning tasks to street sweeping routes, there’s a wealth of information to be gained from the ‘where’ of stormwater.”
Inland Waters’ proprietary TELR model, a GIS-based urban stormwater runoff model, is a prime example of this approach in action. TELR uses readily available land use data and other spatial information to generate hyper-local predictions of runoff and pollutant loading, providing urban land managers with the insights they need to make informed decisions.
“TELR is a flexible framework that can predict runoff and pollution loading at various spatial and temporal scales,” says Beck. “Model outputs can be validated using measured data, ensuring the reliability of our insights.”
But Stormwater GIS isn’t just about data and modeling – it’s about using this information to drive real-world action. Inland Waters’ 2NFORM software helps communities organize their stormwater compliance data, automate tedious tasks, and transform regulatory requirements into actionable insights.
Empowering Communities to Embrace Rainwater Solutions
By combining the power of Stormwater GIS with cutting-edge tools like TELR and 2NFORM, Inland Waters is empowering communities across the country to rethink their approach to urban water management.
“The potential is limitless,” says Beck. “Empowering stormwater teams to leverage the data their MS4 permit requires to go beyond compliance is our secret sauce.”
One such success story is the City of Salinas, California, where Inland Waters’ tools have helped streamline compliance and unlock a whole world of opportunities. “Heidi, the stormwater manager, has been able to make data readily accessible to traffic, parks, and engineering teams,” explains Beck. “Now, they’re collaborating on city strategies that will boost local climate resilience, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and protect water quality – all while uplifting their most underserved communities.”
But the impact of Inland Waters’ work extends beyond the public sector. The company has also partnered with The Nature Conservancy to transform the way private landowners and developers view stormwater management, transitioning it from a burden to an asset.
“Rainsteward, our tool for private landowners, allows users to inventory and benchmark the stormwater impact and benefit opportunity of all properties in their portfolio,” says Beck. “It makes setting rain and runoff goals and objectives simple, so they can evaluate which properties are most suited to efficiently achieve their goals.”
Towards a Resilient Water Future
As the frequency and severity of climate-related water crises continue to escalate, the importance of sustainable and resilient water management strategies has never been more critical. The work of Inland Waters exemplifies the powerful role of innovative technologies and scientific advancements in transforming the information available to rethink urban rain and stormwater management.
By leveraging cutting-edge tools like the TELR model and the comprehensive Stormwater GIS framework, Inland Waters is not only addressing immediate challenges but also paving the way for future generations to inherit a healthier, more sustainable environment.
“The synthesis of big data, geospatial analytics, and peer-reviewed scientific methods has enabled communities to adopt more effective water management practices that reduce risks and enhance the quality of urban living,” says Beck.
As we move forward, it is imperative for all stakeholders – including policymakers, urban planners, developers, and community members – to embrace and integrate these innovative stormwater management solutions into their daily practices and long-term planning. Together, by adopting and advocating for these advanced strategies, we can ensure a resilient future, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and enhance the quality of life in our urban centers.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s join Inland Waters in rethinking our approach to urban water management and taking decisive action today for a sustainable tomorrow. The future of our cities and our planet depends on it.
