LAB University of Applied sciences has received funding for a new project called Steps to prepare for climate change. This project aims to increase knowledge and cooperation within municipalities to better prepare and adjust for changing weather phenomenon and risks it may cause.
Storm water management is one of the topics, that the municipalities have already noted as one of the raising challenges due to climate change. It is estimated, that in Finland, summertime heavy rains would be increased. This may cause storm water floods in the in paved areas, such as in the centers of municipalities. (Syke 2018). This may cause damage for other infrastructure, like blocks when flooding.
Storm Water excursion for highlighting technological solutions
Steps to prepare for climate change -project held an excursion and workshop related to storm water issues on Thursday, 20.4.2023. The whole day’s excursion and workshop were aimed at employees of municipalities and water plants. The day started with morning coffee, and after that it was time to head for the excursion.
The first stop of the excursion was the surface sensors of Lahti Aqua’s waste water drainage wells in Salpakangas industrial estate. Even though the sensors are now used in waste water drainage wells, the attendees thought it could also be useful in storm water drainage wells. With the help of the sensors, that are connected to AI, the water plant receives an information if any well floods, and the know to send workers to fix the blockage or other problems.
The second stop of the excursion were passive collectors of harmful substances in stormwater wells, also in the Salpakangas industrial estate. The municipality of Hollola is trying this new method with the help of their stormwater-related projects. By now, it was seen that these passive collectors are way more expensive than the normal way of taking samples from storm water wells.
Last stop of excursion were Lahti City’s storm water basins in Hennala Area. During this visit, preparation for climate change was also discussed. During winter 2022-2023, Lahti city had noticed winter floods, and that basins had worked well during those. Water from the city center is led to storm water basins.
Workshop from peer-to-peer learning
After the excursion, the day continued with lunch and a workshop. In the workshop the attendees heard a presentation “Introduction of the stormwater fee”. The municipality of Iitti had introduced a stormwater fee, and shared the lessons and challenges it had learned from it.
The municipality of Hollola also talked about the various stormwater projects they are working on, about which the participants had plenty of questions. The presentations lead the attendees to group discussion, where the importance of vegetation in stormwater management became a topic of discussion. About this topic, the municipalities will learn more during the Steps to prepare for climate change -project. A few Thesis are being done on the subject, and based on those, the municipality of Iitti also plans to make climate-resistant landscaping in its parks during the next year.
Author
Kaisa Tuominen works as RDI-specialist in LAB UAS, and works as project specialist in Steps to prepare for climate change -project
References
Syke. 2018. Hulevesien tulvakartta auttaa kuntia riskien hallinnassa. Cited 8th May 2023. Available at https://www.syke.fi/fi-FI/Ajankohtaista/Uutiskirjeet/Vesikirje/Hulevesien_tulvakartta_auttaa_kuntia_ris(47985)
Links
Link 1. LAB University of Applied Sciences. 2023. Steps to prepare for climate change. Cited 8th May 2023. Available at https://lab.fi/en/project/steps-prepare-climate-change
