Lecture

Urban Water Management

Graph Chat

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.

Description

This lecture discusses the challenges of urban water management, focusing on the design and optimization of retention basins, the importance of preserving biodiversity, and the need for sustainable development in urban areas. The instructor emphasizes the concept of multifunctionality in modern basin design, the interconnectedness of different ecosystems, and the role of engineers in managing watershed systems. The lecture also covers the impact of urbanization on water quality, the optimization of existing water retention structures, and the balance between new construction and environmental conservation efforts.

Official source

Related concepts (16)

Water quality

Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water based on the standards of its usage. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which compliance, generally achieved through treatment of the water, can be assessed. The most common standards used to monitor and assess water quality convey the health of ecosystems, safety of human contact, extent of water pollution and condition of drinking water.

Retention basin

A retention basin, sometimes called a retention pond, wet detention basin, or storm water management pond (SWMP), is an artificial pond with vegetation around the perimeter and a permanent pool of water in its design. It is used to manage stormwater runoff, for protection against flooding, for erosion control, and to serve as an artificial wetland and improve the water quality in adjacent bodies of water. It is distinguished from a detention basin, sometimes called a "dry pond", which temporarily stores water after a storm, but eventually empties out at a controlled rate to a downstream water body.

Detention basin

A detention basin or retarding basin is an excavated area installed on, or adjacent to, tributaries of rivers, streams, lakes or bays to protect against flooding and, in some cases, downstream erosion by storing water for a limited period of time. These basins are also called dry ponds, holding ponds or dry detention basins if no permanent pool of water exists. Detention ponds that are designed to permanently retain some volume of water at all times are called retention basins.

Sediment basin

A sediment basin is a temporary pond built on a construction site to capture eroded or disturbed soil that is washed off during rain storms, and protect the water quality of a nearby stream, river, lake, or bay. The sediment-laden soil settles in the pond before the runoff is discharged. Sediment basins are typically used on construction sites of or more, where there is sufficient room. They are often used in conjunction with erosion controls and other sediment control practices.

Environmental protection

Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, groups and governments. Its objectives are to conserve natural resources and the existing natural environment and, where it is possible, to repair damage and reverse trends. Due to the pressures of overconsumption, population growth and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been recognized, and governments have begun placing restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation.

Related lectures (45)

Introduction to Economic Growth and Sustainability

Introduces the course on economic growth and sustainability, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect the planet.

Water Protection: Surface and Groundwater

Explores the legal and practical aspects of safeguarding surface and groundwater, emphasizing sustainable water management practices.

Design of a Detention Basin

Covers the design of a detention basin to protect a damage center from large floods.

Environmental Legislation and Territorial Planning

Explores territorial planning principles, legislation, challenges, and zoning types for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Environmental Legislation and Water Protection