Integration of Education, Scholarship, and Service through Stormwater Management.
Urbanization over the past few decades has increased urban stormwater runoff and pollution. The decrease in pervious areas caused by development increases stream bank erosion, impairs water quality, and decreases base flow. In addition, this increase in stormwater runoff is a leading contributor of non-point source pollution in urban areas. The natural hydrologic cycle is severely disrupted by development because the water that formerly infiltrated into the ground is now running off into nearby streams. The negative impact of development on streams has been documented by several researchers (e.g., Schueler 1994, 1995, and 1997; Paul and Meyer 2001; and Wang et al. 2001) the NRC (2008), and U.S. EPA (2009a). Furthermore, research indicated that the traditional practice of mitigating the peak flow solely through detention was inadequate (Traver and Chadderton 1983; McCuen and Moglen 1998; NRC 2008; and U.S. EPA 2009a). Stormwater control measures, which may be classified as structural (e.g. infiltration basin) or non-structural (e.g. street cleaning), can mitigate peak flow while providing treatment. The use of stormwater control measures, also known as best management practices, has been increasing since the passage of the Clean Water Act and the development of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This paper describes how Villanova University uses the study of stormwater control measures to integrate its three-fold missions of education, scholarship, and service.
| Main Author: | Welker, Andrea L. |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | Wadzuk, Bridget M., Traver, Robert G. |
| Format: | |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2010
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| Online Access: |
http://ezproxy.villanova.edu/login?url=https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:179018 |