STORMWATERMANAGEMENT

Stormwater infrastructure is all around, and we often don’t know it. Almost any green space on campus, while beautiful, has the added bonus of being able to absorb stormwater. In 2021, according to the Florida Climate Center, Gainesville received 5.31 feet of rainfall. Imagine if that water never went anywhere but just sat. I, of course, would be able to stand comfortably, but I have many vertically challenged friends who would have to swim.

Traditional stormwater infrastructure consists of consists of curbs, gutters and storm drains. This infrastructure is meant to collect and channel stormwater into local bodies of water. However, there can be issues. As water runs over impervious surfaces, like sidewalks and roads, it collects all of the pollutants from our cars and scooters and picks up our trash. This polluted stormwater reaches our natural bodies of water and the aquifers that supply our drinking water. Pollution, as you already know, is a big issue. However, it may be more complex than it seems. For example, algae blooms are caused by runoff that collects fertilizer and other landscaping chemicals. Once in the water, these nutrients are eaten up by bacteria that then explode in population. This causes algae blooms that take up the oxygen in the water and prevent sunlight from reaching the bottom, which kills many of the plants and animals living there.

Green stormwater infrastructure absorbs stormwater quickly, which reduces runoff and stops the water from picking up so many pollutants. Local bodies are not overwhelmed by an intense amount of water when it rains, which helps stabilize the ecosystems. Plants are incorporated into the designs to help filter and clean the stormwater closer to the source. Using native plants increases biodiversity. Further, more plant life decreases carbon dioxide emissions. Increasing green space in urban areas also encourages inhabitants to be more active and helps build community.

According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the most common strategies for green infrastructure include natural stormwater basins, rain gardens, permeable pavement and green roofs. Natural stormwater basins are bodies of water that hold stormwater during and after rain events. These bodies of water can be permanently wet or dry up in between rain events. Either way, these basins can be built to maximize water’s soil infiltration and contact with native vegetation. Rain gardens are like miniature stormwater basins that hold water after rain and let it slowly filter into the ground or be taken up by plants to be returned to the atmosphere. Permeable pavement allows water to soak right into it and reduces runoff. The pavement can either be more porous or incorporate elements like blocks with small patches of plants between them. Green roofs are green spaces that reduce the amount of water that runs off the top of buildings when it rains, increase biodiversity and keep buildings cooler.

All of this stormwater infrastructure can be seen at UF. Once you know where to look, you start seeing it everywhere. While there are many storm drains, there are also many examples of green infrastructure. Most people might not know about the green roof on the Charles R. Perry Construction Yard next to the Rinker School of Construction Management. According to the nonprofit Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the soil atop the roof is five inches deep and includes native Florida plants such as dune sunflower, tropical sage and gopher apple. The parking lot next to the bat houses is made of permeable pavement.The green coming up between the slats shows how easily water is able to infiltrate.

One of the most important stormwater areas is the Stormwater Ecological Enhancement Project (SEEP) at the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory. According to UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the project to create this natural wetland basin began in 1995. Much of the stormwater from campus is funneled towards the SEEP, including from the Plaza of the Americas. It contains several levels that gradually move stormwater downhill, filtering it, until it reaches the final wetland that stays wet year-round. Each level of the wetland contains native species adapted to the conditions on that level. There are many smaller natural basins scattered around campus as well: Graham Pond, Liberty Pond next to the Reitz and the Newins-Ziegler sink. Each of these areas not only let us know we’re in the Swamp, but keep some of us from drowning. Next time you’re walking to class, look around, and you might be surprised by what you recognize.