Zero increase in peak discharge for sustainable development

Highlights

Comprehensive stormwater management needs both LID and detention basins.

Zero-increase in peak discharge policy is still valid/used in developed countries.

Design rainfalls for LID are smaller than ones for detention basin.

Detention basin reduces peak discharges for several return-period rainfalls.

Financial responsibility and sustainable development demand zero-increase policy.

Abstract

For urban land development, some or all natural land uses (primarily pervious) are converted into impervious areas which lead to increases of runoff volume and peak discharge. Most of the developed countries require a zero increase in peak discharge for any land development, and the policy has been implemented for several decades. The policy of zero increase in peak discharge can be considered as historical and early stage for the low impact development (LID) and sustainable development, which is to maintain natural hydrological conditions by storing a part or all of additional runoff due to the development on site. The paper will discuss the policy, the policy implementation for individual projects and their impact on regional hydrology. The design rainfalls for sizing LID facilities that are determined in 206 weather stations in USA are smaller than design rainfalls for sizing detention basins. The zero-increase policy links to financial responsibility and sustainability for construction of urban stormwater infrastructures and for reducing urban flooding. The policy was compared with current practices of urban development in China to shine the light for solving urban stormwater problems. The connections and differences among LID practices, the zero-increase policy, and the flood control infrastructure were discussed. We promote and advocate the zero-increase policy on peak discharge for comprehensive stormwater management in China in addition to LID.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Stormwater management / Detention basin / Zero increase / Peak discharge / Sustainable development / Design rainfall

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Acknowledgements

The study is partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51478026).

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