Stormwater runoff characterization and adaptation of best management practices under urbanization and climate change scenarios

The problem of water logging and deteriorating water quality of surface water bodies has been witnessed in and around the urban centers owing to rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization and climate variability. The stormwater runoff management is the need of the hour, and with increasing public and political awareness and rapid economic growth, it is receiving due attention. In the climate-change scenario, it needs to be addressed with scientific interventions as changes in pattern of precipitation affects the runoff volume and movement of pollutants including nutrients. This paper discussed and critically reviewed the stormwater runoff characterization, modelling, relationship between runoff and water quality, first flush phenomena, runoff treatment in changing climate scenarios. Researchers have used regional climate models (RCMs) to project future precipitation and then incorporated in various hydrologic and hydraulic models such as SWMM, SWAT, HSPF, SUSTAIN and MUSIC etc to study the impact of climate change and its adaptation. The flooding and water quality problem can be combatted with adopting green infrastructure practices. Many works on stormwater management have been carried out in developed countries, but efforts need to be geared up in the developing countries, particularly for runoff characterization and effective management. Emerging pollutants need to be paid more attention by undertaking systematic research. Future studies should include measurements and quantification of ecosystem services and integration of stormwater management into environmental policy. This review suggests intriguing future research avenues at the nexus of stormwater management and ecological services.