
Rapid urbanization replaces permeable landscapes with impervious surfaces, intensifying runoff peaks, shortening times of concentration, and degrading receiving-water quality. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of low impact development practices in mitigating pluvial flood risk and improving water quality in a dense Indian urban catchment. A coupled hydrologic–hydraulic modeling workflow was developed using event-based design storms and long-term continuous simulation to capture both peak-flow attenuation and pollutant load reduction. Candidate low impact development controls included bioretention cells, permeable pavements, green roofs, and roadside bioswales. Sites were screened using a multi-criteria suitability index reflecting drainage area, slope, soil hydraulic conductivity, available public right-of-way, retrofit feasibility, and cost per unit treated area. Baseline and with-project scenarios were simulated to quantify changes in peak discharge, runoff volume, hydrograph shape, and event mean concentrations of total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and nutrients. Results indicate that a distributed retrofit achieving 6 to 8 percent effective impervious area disconnection reduced 10-year peak discharge by 18 to 27 percent and annual runoff volume by 12 to 19 percent. Co-benefits included 35 to 55 percent reductions in total suspended solids and 20 to 40 percent reductions in biochemical oxygen demand, with the largest benefits in subcatchments where storage-based practices were colocated with infiltration opportunities. Sensitivity analysis showed performance was most sensitive to saturated hydraulic conductivity, media depth, and clogging rates, highlighting maintenance as a key determinant of long-term efficacy. The paper proposes a practical planning framework for Indian cities that integrates siting, design, and monitoring, delivering resilient stormwater systems that address both flooding and water quality goals.
urban stormwater, low impact development, green infrastructure, hydrologic modeling, hydraulic routing, water quality, permeable pavement, bioretention, bioswale, green roof
urban stormwater, low impact development, green infrastructure, hydrologic modeling, hydraulic routing, water quality, permeable pavement, bioretention, bioswale, green roof
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