The application of LIDs in Savanna region for mitigation of flooded areas

ABSTRACT The increase in runoff volume due to urban sprawl has imposed a challenge to current urban drainage systems and future projects in order to add sustainable strategies for effective flood control especially in consolidated urban areas that would require retrofitting of urban areas with additional social and economic costs. This study is aimed at evaluating alternatives of drainage solutions in a consolidated urban area in the Federal District of Brazil, located in Savanna region, based on the reduction of peak flow and flooded volume in the areas exposed to flood hazard. Different solutions based on the concepts of Low Impact Development (LID) were simulated, showing that the current traditional drainage system is not in compliance with local regulations in the Federal District. In addition, the use of permeable pavements and stormwater ponds could reduce at least 46% of the flooded volume. When placed along with the drainage network, not only at the outlet, stormwater ponds were able to reduce the flooded volume and its hazard and damages. However, LIDs solutions were not able to completely eliminate floods in the region. Structural changes, as resizing the conduits into the drainage systems in the area, could improve the drainage system effectiveness avoiding floods and respective hazards and damages.