For water utilities and municipal authorities, stormwater management is a growing challenge. Changing weather patterns as a result of climate change is prompting more intense events that are increasing the volume of snow and rain water entering water management systems. At the same time increasing urbanisation is reducing the capacity of the environment to absorb surface runoff. With impervious surfaces such as pavements and roofs preventing precipitation from naturally soaking into the ground water is increasingly directed into storm drains, sewer systems and drainage ditches. However, often aging drainage infrastructure can be overwhelmed and as a result, poorly managed stormwater can see flooding events with backflow into residential areas, office parks and commercial areas. Inevitably, such events result in significant problems. For example, flooding can cause erosion, turbidity due to suspended solids, property damage, and traffic disruption.
