Conventional Versus Integrated Stormwater Management Option 1

SWITCH Training Kit – Trainer Materials
Module 4: STORMWATER–Exploring the options / Module 4 – Exercise 2

Trainer notes

The following exercise is designed to highlight the differences between a conventional and an integrated approach to different aspects of stormwater management.(Module 4, pages 13-14)

Pre-requisites: Option 1 is more basic and can be done before the training has begun, while option 2 is a bit more complex and requires further learning. Participants should have been introduced to the main differences between a conventional and an integrated approach to stormwater management.
Timing
(assuming 20 participants)
TOTAL: 45 min. / Introduction by trainer / 5 min.
Group work / 20 min.
Presentation of group results / 20 min.

Conventional versus integrated stormwater management – Option 1

1. Divide the participants into groups, and ask them to fill in both the conventional and the integrated approach columns by placing the appropriate cards (next page) that you have printed, cut and mixed up.

Aspect of stormwater / Conventional approach / Alternative approach
Quantity
Quality
Recreation and amenityvalue
Biodiversity
Potential resource
Stormwater is conveyed away from urbanareas as rapidly as possible. / Stormwater is attenuated and retained atsource allowing it to infiltrate into aquifersand flow gradually into receiving waterbodies
Stormwater is treated together with humanwaste at centralised wastewater treatmentplants or discharged untreated intoreceiving water bodies / Stormwater is treated using decentralisednatural systems such as soils, vegetation and ponds
Not considered / Stormwater infrastructure is designed toenhance the urban landscape and providerecreational opportunities
Not considered / Urban ecosystems are restored andprotected through the use of stormwater tomaintain and enhance natural habitats
Not considered / Stormwater is harvested for water supplyand retained to support aquifers, waterwaysand vegetation

2. Each group should judge how conventional or integrated their own city is, by placing a cross on the following scale:

Aspect of stormwater / Conventional approach / More integrated approach
Quantity
Quality
Recreation and amenityvalue
Biodiversity
Potential resource

3. Reassemble the participants and discuss their findings

Conventional versus integrated stormwater management – Option 2

1. Divide the participants into groups, and ask them to fill in only the more integrated approach column, noting down the group’s key ideas in bullet point format.

Aspect of stormwater / Conventional approach / More integrated approach
Quantity / Stormwater is conveyed away from urbanareas as rapidly as possible.
Quality / Stormwater is treated together with humanwaste at centralised wastewater treatmentplants or discharged untreated intoreceiving water bodies
Recreation and amenityvalue / Not considered
Biodiversity / Not considered
Potential resource / Not considered

2. Each group should judge how conventional or integrated their own city is, by placing a cross on the following scale:

Aspect of stormwater / Conventional approach / More integrated approach
Quantity
Quality
Recreation and amenityvalue
Biodiversity
Potential resource

3. Reassemble the participants and discuss their findings

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Participant handout

Discussion:Conventional versus integrated approach to stormwater management

The following exercise is designed to highlight the differences between a conventional and an integrated approach to different aspects of stormwater management.

1. In your group, fill in the following table:

NOTE: Trainer to insert chosen table from the two options provided above

2. Still in your group, judge how conventional or integrated your own city’s management of stormwater is, by placing crosses on the following scale:

Aspect of stormwater / Conventional approach / More integrated approach
Quantity
Quality
Recreation and amenityvalue
Biodiversity
Potential resource

3. Discuss your group’s findings with the rest of the class.