In recent years, the practice of stormwater capture and reuse has emerged as a promising solution to address a range of water management challenges facing communities across the country. In our 15 years installing… Also known as stormwater harvesting, this innovative approach involves collecting rainwater and urban runoff and repurposing it to meet local water needs, while also providing valuable flood control and environmental benefits.
The Benefits of Stormwater Reuse
Stormwater reuse can offer a resilient, localized supply of water to support water-stressed communities and industrial facilities. By capturing and treating stormwater, it can reduce the strain on overburdened sewer systems during heavy rains, while preventing pollutants from reaching nearby waterways. These systems can also help mitigate flooding risks for homes and public spaces.
Importantly, stormwater reuse projects often cost less than developing new potable water sources. And the multifaceted nature of these systems means they can address several infrastructure challenges simultaneously, providing a range of co-benefits to the community.
Rainwater vs. Stormwater: A Key Distinction
It’s important to understand the distinction between rainwater and stormwater. Rainwater is typically defined as precipitation that falls directly onto building roofs or into dedicated storage systems before reaching the ground or streets. In contrast, stormwater refers to water that has already fallen to the earth’s surface and then runs off, often picking up contaminants along the way.
Due to this difference, stormwater generally requires more extensive treatment than rainwater before it can be safely reused. However, both types of urban water can be effectively captured, filtered, and repurposed to meet a variety of non-potable needs.
Innovative Stormwater Reuse Projects
Communities and businesses across the country have implemented a diverse array of stormwater capture and reuse systems to address their unique water management challenges. Let’s explore a few leading examples:
Washington, D.C.’s Canal Park
In Washington, D.C., the Canal Park development uses captured stormwater to meet up to 95% of its water demands, including irrigation, fountains, and even an ice rink. This was made possible by the city’s adoption of clear stormwater standards, including retention and detention-based requirements as well as log reduction targets for specific reuse applications.
San Diego County’s Waterscape Rebate Program
San Diego County, California, has implemented an innovative Waterscape Rebate Program to incentivize stormwater harvesting. The program focuses on three key project types: small residential and commercial rain barrel systems, large-scale landscape irrigation, and partnerships with existing water efficiency initiatives. The county also developed a simple tool to help quantify the performance and benefits of customer stormwater reuse projects.
New York City’s Stormwater Reuse Incentives
New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection has a robust program of financial incentives to encourage private landowners to develop on-site stormwater reuse systems. These include substantial water and sewer bill discounts of up to 76% for property owners who install qualifying systems. The city has also prioritized public education, using clear, accessible language to describe these projects, such as “rain gardens” instead of more technical terms.
Stormwater Reuse in the Midwest
The Midwest has also seen a surge of innovative stormwater reuse projects in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at a few notable examples:
Towerside District Stormwater System, Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, the Towerside Innovation District developed a first-of-its-kind district stormwater system that captures, treats, and reuses runoff from a two-block area. This collaborative, multi-developer approach allowed for cost savings of 15% compared to individual on-site systems. The system includes a 206,575-gallon underground storage tank and biofiltration basins, supplying irrigation, industrial uses, and other non-potable demands.
CHS Field, St. Paul
When the new CHS Field baseball stadium opened in St. Paul, it incorporated a unique rainwater harvesting system that collects runoff from the adjacent METRO Green Line Operations and Maintenance Facility. The captured water is then used to irrigate the playing field and flush some of the stadium’s toilets, reducing the facility’s demand for potable city water by 15-20%.
Regulatory Frameworks for Stormwater Reuse
As stormwater reuse has gained traction, many states have developed comprehensive regulatory frameworks to govern the practice and double-check that its safe implementation. Here are a few examples:
Nevada’s Water Recycling Regulations
Nevada’s Division of Environmental Protection has promulgated detailed rules governing both potable and non-potable water recycling. The state has defined six categories of reclaimed water, each with specific treatment and water quality requirements for applications ranging from irrigation to industrial cooling.
North Carolina’s Reuse Regulations
North Carolina’s environmental agencies are directed by statute to consider water reuse as an alternative to surface water discharge. The state’s reclaimed water regulations outline acceptable non-potable uses, such as irrigation, dust control, and decorative fountains.
Texas’ Reuse Guidelines
Texas, a national leader in water reuse, has established guidelines for both “Type I” and “Type II” non-potable reclaimed water based on the level of public contact. The state also regulates the use of graywater and other alternative sources in on-site or decentralized reuse systems.
The Future of Stormwater Reuse
As communities continue to grapple with water scarcity, aging infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change, the practice of stormwater capture and reuse is poised to play an increasingly vital role in sustainable water management. By leveraging innovative technologies and collaborative approaches, stormwater reuse systems can provide a resilient, localized water supply while also delivering flood control, environmental, and economic benefits.
To learn more about the latest advancements in stormwater reuse, visit Flood Control 2015. Our experts are dedicated to helping communities across the country implement cutting-edge strategies for managing stormwater and building climate resilience.
Statistic: Innovative flood management practices have improved urban resilience by over 30% in affected areas
