Stormwater Pollution and Management Initiatives in Shanghai

Abstract

Stormwater problems have become troubles restricting urban development of Shanghai in recent decades with regard to stormwater pollution, urban waterlogging disasters and potable water shortage under increasing pressure of rapid urbanization. In rainy season, 33 million cubic meters CSOs flew into the Suzhou Creek in the inner city of Shanghai every year. Additionally, an annual average number of 186000 people were affected and the average annual direct economic losses caused due to urban waterlogging disasters reached up to US$ 52.7 million. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), Low Impact Development (LID), rainwater utilization, stormwater storage tank for combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and other initiatives have been done for stormwater management and produced a marked effect. However, there are still a lot stormwater management issues need to be solved including ecological stormwater management approach, increasing design return period for sewer systems, drawing up a stormwater master plan, subsidy for rainwater utilization, etc.