There are now a growing number of new policies and building codes to for stormwater compliance. New development often times must adhere to new construction methods including the ones shown here:
The encouraging news is sometimes the same as the source of our water problems: The Southwestern US is growing. It is easy to assume that new buildings will be built & old infrastructure will be removed with old buildings. (Hey, it's the Arizona way - everything must look new and shiny! If it doesn't, tear it down and build a new strip mall!). In the midst of all of this new construction (and old destruction) Arizona needs to make sure we have corresponding new codes that require stormwater infrastructure. This way much of the cost will be folded into construction on a micro-scale. When these smaller systems can be tied into a state, county, or muni perhaps some of the captured water can even be sold to water providers for treatment and direct or indirect human consumption! Incentivizing private entities to do so seems to be working (albeit slowly) with solar power meeting energy demands. Why not stormwater? Everyone stands to win!
Coincidence or not, I happened to be enrolled in Water Harvesting (SWES 554) at the UA this upcoming spring. I can't wait to learn concepts, techniques, & policies from Allan Matthias to apply in my personal life and professional career!
Until we our society has enough gumption to look in the mirror and deal with the source of our water problems - unmitigated growth and southwestern migration - we will have to continue to band-aid our growing water resource problems. Consider stormwater capture, storage, and conveyance ONE BIG BAND-AID!
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