The urban hydrological system

Abstract

This chapter treats the urban system's intersection with the water cycle. The water cycle will be explained, and the city's local and regional effects will be examined. These will include water routing to and from humans, water consumption (drinking and other uses) and sewering systems; runoff interactions, how impervious surface affects runoff from precipitation events, including the storm hydrograph, particle transport from streets, and combined storm overflows; atmospheric interactions, how the urban heat island and air pollution affect evapotranspiration and precipitation; urban recipient waters, streams, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and wetlands; the role of green infrastructure in the hydrological cycle; and the potential impacts of climate change.