#219: Stormwater Solutions For Southern Communities

The South continues to experience rapid development and is now facing more intense rainfalls due to climate change. This makes stormwater management a more critical issue for the region. This episode delves into the challenges and solutions with Vinicius Taguchi, an Extension Associate at North Carolina State University.

He highlights Wilson, North Carolina as an example of a community with stormwater problems exacerbated by a history of segregation and lack of investment in infrastructure, a situation found across the South.

Vinny delves into management strategies, ranging from traditional stormwater ponds to green infrastructure solutions like bioretention and permeable pavement. He highlights technology's role, from low-cost sensors to smart control systems optimizing water levels based on forecasts.

Vinny emphasizes the importance of collaboration across disciplines like civil engineering and urban planning. He also discusses pathways for students interested in stormwater, reflecting the field's multifaceted nature and opportunities for environmental stewardship.

This episode is part of the Color Of Water series, a collaboration between waterloop and the Water Hub that features interviews with diverse experts from communities across the country.