As extreme weather events become more frequent, managing urban stormwater and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) has emerged as a growing challenge for water utilities worldwide. We learned this the hard way… Aging infrastructure, unpredictable weather patterns, and heightened environmental regulations are straining traditional stormwater management approaches. To address these challenges, forward-thinking utilities are turning to innovative smart water solutions that leverage real-time data, predictive analytics, and automated controls.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Harnessing Data and Analytics for Smarter Stormwater Management
At the heart of sustainable urban stormwater management lies the ability to gather, analyze, and act on critical data. By deploying a network of strategically placed sensors throughout the sewer system, utilities can gain unprecedented visibility into real-time conditions – tracking rainfall, water levels, flow rates, and more. This wealth of data empowers utilities to make more informed, proactive decisions to mitigate the impacts of CSOs.
One such solution, the Xylem Vue platform, integrates smart sensors, predictive analytics, and a decision support system to help cities optimize their existing stormwater infrastructure. “Xylem Vue enables us to continuously monitor the performance of our sewer network and make smarter, data-driven choices to reduce overflow events,” notes a stormwater manager from the City of Richmond, Virginia. “The platform’s real-time insights and predictive capabilities have been invaluable in helping us comply with regulatory requirements while maximizing the efficiency of our operations.”
Through Xylem Vue, utilities can access a comprehensive dashboard that consolidates data from across the sewer system, allowing them to visualize flow patterns, pinpoint problem areas, and anticipate potential overflow situations. By leveraging predictive analytics, the platform can forecast rainfall, model system capacity, and alert operators to impending CSO events – empowering them to take preemptive action.
Optimizing Existing Infrastructure for Cost-Effective Stormwater Management
Rather than relying on costly new infrastructure projects, forward-thinking utilities are exploring ways to extract maximum value from their existing sewer systems. The City of Buffalo, New York, faced nearly 2 billion gallons of combined sewer overflows annually due to its mid-20th-century infrastructure. Instead of undertaking a $525 million long-term control plan, the Buffalo Sewer Authority partnered with Xylem to implement a Real-Time Control (RTC) system through the Xylem Vue platform.
This smart sewer system enabled Buffalo to optimize its existing infrastructure, using predictive analytics and real-time monitoring to dynamically adjust the flow of stormwater and wastewater. In the first year alone, the RTC system cut the city’s CSO volume by 450 million gallons, saving $145 million compared to the original long-term control plan.
Similar success stories can be found across the US, with cities like Cincinnati and South Bend leveraging Xylem’s smart water solutions to dramatically reduce CSO volumes and avoid costly infrastructure upgrades. “By implementing Xylem Vue, we were able to cut our CSO mitigation costs to less than $0.01 per gallon, a fraction of the $3.1 billion originally estimated for traditional gray infrastructure projects,” shared a spokesperson from Cincinnati’s Metropolitan Sewer District.
Integrating Green Infrastructure for Holistic Stormwater Management
While smart, data-driven technologies are transforming the way utilities manage urban stormwater, nature-based solutions are also playing a crucial role in sustainable stormwater management. Green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs, can help reduce the burden on combined sewer systems by intercepting and infiltrating stormwater at the source.
By incorporating green infrastructure alongside smart water technologies, cities can adopt a holistic approach to stormwater management that addresses the problem from multiple angles. “Our partnership with Xylem has allowed us to take a comprehensive, integrated approach to managing combined sewer overflows,” explains the stormwater manager from the City of South Bend, Indiana. “The real-time decision support system, coupled with our extensive green infrastructure network, has enabled us to reduce CSO volumes by 80% – about 1 billion gallons annually.”
This multifaceted approach not only improves environmental outcomes by reducing the amount of untreated wastewater entering local waterways but also enhances the livability and resilience of urban communities. Green infrastructure, for example, can provide additional benefits such as urban heat island mitigation, air quality improvement, and recreational opportunities for residents.
Navigating Regulatory Compliance Through Smart Stormwater Management
As governments worldwide implement stricter environmental regulations to address water quality concerns, water utilities are under increasing pressure to minimize the impact of combined sewer overflows. In the United States, the EPA’s enforcement of the Clean Water Act through revised NPDES permits requires municipalities to develop and implement long-term control plans to reduce CSO discharges. Similarly, the European Union’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive is driving cities to modernize their infrastructure and improve stormwater management.
By integrating smart water technologies like Xylem Vue, utilities can not only improve their operational efficiency and environmental performance but also demonstrate compliance with these evolving regulatory requirements. The platform’s real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and decision support capabilities enable utilities to make data-driven decisions, justify capital expenditures, and create defensible, long-term control plans that satisfy regulatory bodies.
“Xylem Vue has been a game-changer for us in terms of meeting our regulatory obligations,” affirms the stormwater manager from the City of Richmond. “The platform’s ability to track rainfall, system capacity, and overflow events in real-time has empowered us to develop a comprehensive, cost-effective plan that aligns with the Virginia General Assembly’s directives.”
Financing Sustainable Stormwater Management
Implementing comprehensive stormwater management solutions, whether smart technologies or nature-based approaches, can require significant upfront investments. However, the long-term benefits – in terms of reduced overflow volumes, environmental compliance, and community resilience – often outweigh the initial costs.
To finance these projects, utilities are exploring innovative funding mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, stormwater utility fees, and green bonds. By involving private sector partners, utilities can leverage expertise, technology, and alternative financing models to deliver more cost-effective solutions. Stormwater utility fees, charged to property owners based on their impervious surface area, can also provide a dedicated revenue stream to fund green infrastructure and smart water initiatives.
“When evaluating the cost-benefit ratio of our stormwater management investments, we not only consider the direct operational savings but also the broader environmental and community benefits,” explains the spokesperson from Cincinnati’s Metropolitan Sewer District. “By taking a holistic view, we’ve been able to justify significant expenditures on smart water technologies and green infrastructure that deliver exceptional long-term value for our city.”
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Sustainable Stormwater Management
As urban populations grow and climate change intensifies, the challenges associated with managing stormwater and combined sewer overflows will only continue to escalate. Forward-thinking water utilities are rising to meet this call, leveraging advanced technologies, nature-based solutions, and data-driven decision-making to build more resilient, sustainable stormwater management systems.
By integrating smart sensors, real-time controls, and predictive analytics, utilities can optimize their existing infrastructure, anticipate overflow events, and take proactive measures to mitigate the environmental and public health impacts of CSOs. When combined with green infrastructure and collaborative financing models, this holistic approach to stormwater management offers a promising pathway towards a more sustainable, climate-resilient urban future.
To learn more about Xylem’s smart water solutions for sustainable stormwater management, visit www.floodcontrol2015.com.
Tip: Regularly inspect and maintain flood barriers and drainage systems
