Category: Urban Systems

NYC Unified Stormwater Rule

NYC Unified Stormwater Rule

NYC Unified Stormwater Rule

07/05/25

“How can NYC unify its stormwater regulations to cover both its combined and separated sewers under one regulation?”

Historically, NYC regulated stormwater in its combined sewer overflows differently than its municipal separate stormwater sanitary systems. But on February 15, 2022, NYC unveiled its NYC Unified Stormwater Rule. This regulation brought RCNY Title 15 Chapter 19.1 enforcement to the entire city and reduced the minimum qualification to 20,000 square feet. This shifted NYC’s stormwater pollution focus from off-site treatment to on-site treatment, putting NYC on a path to a more just and sustainable future. The NYC unified stormwater rule can increase equity in environmental justice communities due to their sizable presence in older combined sewer overflow neighborhoods. 

Construction General Permit

Construction General Permit

Construction General Permit

07/04/25

“How do U.S. states regulate stormwater pollution runoff from construction activity?”

Construction activities create pollution that stormwater can pick up and dump into surface waters. U.S. States use stormwater permits to keep their water bodies clean. Construction activities that meet certain criteria must obtain a Construction General Permit from the state environmental regulatory agency before starting work. Construction general permits are part of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Silt Fences

Silt Fences

Silt Fences

07/03/25

“How can we put up barriers to temporarily protect water bodies from construction stormwater sediment runoff?”

Construction stormwater runoff can devastate nearby water bodies. Construction operators must take best management practices to protect water bodies as part of stormwater pollution prevention plans. One approach is to build temporary Silt Fences around the perimeter of construction projects to stop sediment runoff from leaving the development area. Silt fences have a special fabric that allows water to pass through while trapping pollutants. Operators should install silt fences in trenches to keep them stabilized. 

Image credit https://globalsynthetics.com.au/

Permaculture

Permaculture

Permaculture

07/02/25

“How can we take inspiration from nature to create sustainable land management practices?”

Modern day land management in most of the world is extractive and unsustainable. Whether it’s destroying the water cycle through concretizing cities, extracting too much groundwater from aquifers to grow almonds, or cutting down forests to encourage suburban sprawl, there are so many things wrong. To build a more sustainable system, we can replicate circular processes found in nature to provide humans with the landscapes, food, energy, and other systems we need. Many circles have termed this practice Permaculture, and it holds the potential to reshape how we interact with the wider world.

Grading (Construction)

Grading (Construction)

Grading (Construction)

07/01/25

“How can we shape a landscape’s slope to suit our construction needs?”

People may want certain landscape slopes for their construction projects. For example, a developer may want to flatten out a piece of land to make the foundation more stable, or a stormwater engineer might recommend that a community build a meandering path to allow for better drainage. People can accomplish these tasks through Grading, where the land surface is reshaped to accomplish specific criteria.

Fecal Sludge

Fecal Sludge

Fecal Sludge

06/27/25

“What exactly is fecal sludge?”

People all over the world use non-sewer systems to dispose of fecal matter. This fecal matter will collect over time with other waste material and accumulate into Fecal Sludge. Fecal sludge needs proper maintenance to prevent public health issues.

Wastewater Lift Stations

Wastewater Lift Stations

Wastewater Lift Stations

06/19/25

“Why might we need to lift wastewater?”

It’s easy to move wastewater by channeling it from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. But sometimes wastewater is too low for gravity transport. Infrastructure operators can address this issue by utilizing Wastewater Lift Stations that pump wastewater upwards. This pushes wastewater to a higher elevation to allow for movement again.

Image credit: http://www.pumpsandsystems.com

Why Midwestern US Cities That Are Losing Population But Have a Resilience Plan Can Potentially Become Receiving Cities

Why Midwestern US Cities That Are Losing Population But Have a Resilience Plan Can Potentially Become Receiving Cities

Why Midwestern US Cities That Are Losing Population But Have a Resilience Plan Can Potentially Become Receiving Cities

06/16/25

“Why can midwestern US cities that are losing population but have a resilience plan potentially become receiving cities?”

Many midwestern US cities are losing population. However, the midwest is particularly advantaged when it comes to climate change in comparison to the rest of the country, and if they have a resilience plan, then there is potential for future climate adapted growth. This is Why Midwestern US Cities That Are Losing Population But Have a Resilience Plan Can Potentially Become Receiving Cities.

Watershed Democracy

Watershed Democracy

Watershed Democracy

06/12/25

“What if we were to use watershed boundaries for political boundaries?”

Most political boundaries will bisect watersheds. This makes watershed and environmental management much more difficult because multiple actors need to come together to make decisions, and communities within the same watershed are divided. So what if we were to base political boundaries on watershed boundaries? This concept, called Watershed Democracy, allows for much better water resource use, environmental management, climate adaptation, and community engagement.