Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and more intense storms are bringing increased runoff to areas near highway shoulders and surface water drainage pipes – potentially increasing damage or leakage of these infrastructures. These changes could result in higher temperatures, necessitating concrete pipes to be capable of handling more heat than was previously possible.
1. Stormwater Runoff
When it rains, water from rooftops, driveways, paved areas and sloped lawns does not percolate into the soil – instead it flows off overland into streets, gutters and catch basins or drains into storm sewers that carry it to lakes, rivers or oceans – often carrying pollutants that pollute our environment while harming fish, birds, plants and animals as it travels downstream.
This untreated runoff water poses serious threats to aquatic environments – harming fisheries, aquatic life and aquatic environments as it makes its journey downstream.
Nature provides many natural environments – grasslands, woodlands and wetlands – with the capacity to absorb or infiltrate much of the rainwater that falls, leading to only small volumes of stormwater runoff.
Most storm water runs directly into natural bodies of water such as lakes or rivers, though some is diverted towards wetlands or surface water storage facilities for storage purposes, and others to wastewater treatment plants for processing. Unfortunately, the vast majority of stormwater simply dumps into these bodies of water without any treatment whatsoever.
Pollutants found in stormwater runoff include pesticides and chemicals, grass clippings and yard waste, automotive oils and fluids, pet and animal droppings, fertilizers used on crops or gardens as fertilizers or chemical pesticides used on gardens as well as trash from streets, sidewalks, parking lots or construction sites.
All of these pollutants can damage waterways, pollute drinking water sources and reduce swimming pools or beaches’ quality if allowed to reach surface waters.
One way to address these issues is with green stormwater management practices such as rain gardens, swales, and infiltration techniques – such as rain gardens, swales and infiltration techniques – such as rain gardens, swales and infiltration techniques.
These techniques reduce stormwater runoff volume while simultaneously infiltrating into soil; protecting waterways while simultaneously creating additional resources to sustain life. Other approaches might involve decreasing or disconnecting impervious surfaces like street widenings or permeable pavement.
2. Sediment Buildup
Sediment is a collection of solid particles like built-up rust, hard water minerals, sand, silt, clay, dirt and other fragments which accumulate over time in waterways due to erosion or other causes; wind, water and ice transport it further towards surface waters or well water systems where its presence causes slowdown of flow of water; flushing hot water pipes can often alleviate this issue.
Temporary sediment control BMPs depend on being properly maintained after every rain event to be effective; otherwise, sediment deposits could dislodge and block inlet openings. In erodible conditions, inlets may need to be lined with riprap, rock rubble, jute matting or grass seeding in order to retard erosion and sediment accumulation.
Furthermore, lining ditches with plastic sheets can significantly decrease sediment loads by up to 50% while helping maintain channel depth during low flow periods. Schedule a drain survey in Newcastle to assess your drainage system.
3. Temperature Change
Temperature changes can have an immediate impact on pipes. A sudden increase in temperature can cause water levels in pipes to surge unexpectedly and become potentially damaging, particularly with older materials like terra cotta or concrete pipes. It would be wise to contact an experienced plumber prior to any drastic shifts occurring, just in case.
Climate change is a global phenomenon with profound repercussions for all aspects of life. Climate change may reduce freshwater supplies in certain regions and increase extreme weather events like heat waves, hurricanes, and tornadoes which damage water treatment infrastructure, leading to less availability of clean drinking water for consumption.
Extreme weather can also have serious repercussions for highway transportation infrastructure by creating flooding and dismantling drainage systems, particularly coastal regions. A severe flood event in Zhengzhou, China caused the collapse of its wastewater system resulting in freshwater supply cuts for over 120,000 residents as well as sanitation service issues for everyone else in that city.
Floods are devastating events that can damage or destroy drainage systems, leading to sewage spills and contamination of the surrounding environment. Multiple factors can contribute to flooding events, including high winds which may blow debris onto roadways and block water drains; it is also possible that high wind speeds lead to erosion or landslides which further disrupt or damage drainage systems.
An unexpected increase in rainfall rates can also wreak havoc with drainage systems, by increasing runoff rates and leading to flooding or soil erosion. When designing drainage systems it’s essential that these issues are carefully taken into account.
Due to climate change’s potential impact on highway drainage systems, it is crucial that backup solutions be created. One such solution is decentralized point-of-use (POU) water treatment systems which can help mitigate these effects and enhance drinking water quality during extreme weather events.
4. Electricity
Energy that powers our homes and businesses is an invaluable resource, vulnerable to being damaged by weather conditions such as heavy rainfall. Protecting it takes great effort, yet extreme conditions like heavy downpours may still cause drain issues that necessitate repairs or replacements of drain pipes or sewer lines requiring expensive repairs or replacements.
One of the primary issues associated with wet weather is damage to underground pipes caused by shifting soil. When one pipe shifts, it puts undue strain on adjacent ones which could eventually burst. Flooding due to storm surges also presents problems as water rises above the drain line causing drains to stop working or create standing puddles within your home.
Be mindful that lightning during thunderstorms can damage your plumbing system, so when an approaching storm is predicted, make sure to turn off your main water valve and clear away debris such as leaves from drain grates. Furthermore, consider having your sewer lines buried below frost lines so as to prevent freezing during wintertime.
