{"id":114560,"date":"2021-10-04T15:39:26","date_gmt":"2021-10-04T19:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/?p=114560"},"modified":"2021-11-27T13:45:04","modified_gmt":"2021-11-27T18:45:04","slug":"stormwater-the-hidden-threat-of-microbes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/stormwater-the-hidden-threat-of-microbes\/","title":{"rendered":"Stormwater: The Hidden Threat of Microbes"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Emma Cheriegate, Staff Researcher & Writer at Save the Water\u2122 | October 4th, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n

In June of 2021, Save the Water\u2122 published an <\/span>article<\/span><\/a> on the dangers lurking in local water bodies after rainfall, and why we should avoid swimming in the days that follow. Pollutants range from bacteria, viruses, pesticides, waste from animals and humans, and <\/span>agricultural runoff<\/span><\/a>. In recent years, we have seen an increase of precipitation levels in storm events, such as hurricanes. The intensified detection frequency of microbial contaminants in surface water often follows <\/span>suit<\/span><\/a>. Stormwater management is no easy feat, and the progressive uptick in bacteria levels after hurricane events makes ensuring clean water even harder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wait, what\u2019s so bad about a little bacteria?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The power of hurricanes is increasing. There is a <\/span>20% increase<\/span><\/a> in the amount of rainfall in extreme events like Hurricane Harvey, which causes worse flooding and even greater impacts on the affected communities. The first thought in the aftermath of a natural disaster is usually damage control. Our minds conjure images of destroyed buildings and washed-up automobiles, but we tend to have little time or energy in such an extreme scenario to consider drinking water. However, the existence of microbial contamination might force us to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers have found elevated levels of bacteria like <\/span>Escherichia coli<\/span><\/i><\/a> (more commonly known as <\/span>E. coli<\/span><\/i>) and <\/span>Arcobacter butzleri<\/span><\/i> <\/a>in surface waters. Bacteria such as these can cause painful and uncomfortable <\/span>gastrointestinal<\/span><\/a> symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and a particular strain can even cause <\/span>kidney failure<\/span><\/a> in a few cases. To help mediate this issue that affects our supply of drinking water, creative methods for stormwater management are emerging.<\/span><\/p>\n

For most urban areas, stormwater management continues to be a big issue in water quality assurance. Rising pollutant levels and intensifying natural disasters necessitate more energy and monetary resources to keep up with the pace. Many professionals are aiming for environmentally conscious initiatives, especially as they look to the future. But in order to plan for what\u2019s on the horizon, we must first look to the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gray infrastructure<\/span><\/h2>\n

In urban areas, one of the biggest water quality <\/span>polluters<\/span><\/a> to date is stormwater runoff. We\u2019ve come a long way since the initial water management efforts of the Mesopotamian stone <\/span>rainwater channels<\/span><\/a>. \u201cGray\u201d infrastructure is the nickname for traditional stormwater management, due to its often cement-like foundations. Some examples are pipes, gutters and <\/span>drains<\/span><\/a>. At the current moment, the United States\u2019 infrastructure grade is a C-, with <\/span>water loss<\/span><\/a> as a huge resulting issue. However, as our collective consciousness desires less environmentally harmful innovations, we\u2019ve shifted our thinking to green solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Green innovations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Environmental engineers working on this issue <\/span>focus on<\/span><\/a> how to unify both existing (gray) and new (green) infrastructure. The <\/span>goal<\/span><\/a> of this approach is to encourage <\/span>natural hydrologic processes<\/span><\/a> by soaking up runoff, reducing its speed, and permitting plants the ability to soak it up and release it back into the atmosphere. With these processes in place, runoff can be kept out of the <\/span>sewers<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Densely populated communities tend to need more creative solutions since they have less space. In Hoboken, New Jersey, <\/span>Dr. Elizabeth Fassman discovered 45%<\/span><\/a> of the city\u2019s total area consists of rooftops. To navigate this issue, green rooftops were born. Green roofs consist of a mixture of vegetation and soil that absorb and filter the water that would otherwise fall straight into the drain. This solution helps by <\/span>preventing<\/span><\/a> the water from flowing through polluted roads and overflowing sewer systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the most efficient ways of reducing water overflow and contamination after flooding events already exist in our environment, such as wetlands and their coastal version, mangrove forests. Mangrove forests assist in both protection from, and absorption of, floodwaters. And while these ecosystems sustain a bit of damage from floods, healthy ones <\/span>can recover on their own.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Options for involvement<\/span><\/h2>\n

Scientists support the need for a mixture of <\/span>ecological protection<\/span><\/a> and human innovation to tackle stormwater management challenges. While not everyone can aid ecological restoration efforts, there are a few ways you can implement green infrastructure in your <\/span>community<\/span><\/a>. There are several <\/span>options<\/span><\/a> you can try out in your city:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n