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How do we prepare our stormwater and utilities systems for increasingly frequent and severe wet weather events?
This was the central question addressed in a recent Brightly webinar, “Wet Weather Planning: Predicting the Rain Versus Building the Ark.” It was presented by WithersRavenel’s Director of Stormwater Dori Sabeh, PE, GISP, and Practice Area Lead for Utilities Ken Orie, PE.
The presentation started by highlighting the growing challenge of managing stormwater and utilities systems due to hurricanes and summer storms. However, by leveraging new data and modeling systems, we can now anticipate rain events with greater accuracy. Ken and Dori emphasized that predicting rain and the occurrence and volume of wet weather events are only part of the solution. The real challenge lies in designing stormwater systems that can handle these anticipated needs. Predictive modeling allows for micro-level performance predictions. This capability is crucial for preparing systems for increasing wet weather events.
On the wastewater side, hydraulic modeling has been a long-standing tool. With North Carolina experiencing rapid economic development, the need to address substantial rainfall and its impact on development and master planning is more pressing than ever. By comparing dry conditions with a 10-year storm scenario, municipalities can gain better insights into system resilience. They can act swiftly to notify residents of flooded areas.
The concept of “Building the Ark” was explored in depth. Determining the level of service (LOS) is a critical question for municipalities. As Ken noted, “There’s always going to be a bigger storm.” LOS determination involves not just calculations but also understanding stakeholder goals. Various tools, including GIS, historical rainfall data, land use plans, field data, and hydraulic modeling, can aid in this process.
For those interested in a deeper dive, the full presentation is available to watch online. If you would like to learn more about wet weather planning and the steps to make your stormwater and utilities systems more resilient, please reach out to Ken Orie at korie@withersravenel.com or Dori Sabeh at dsabeh@withersravenel.com.