Green Stormwater Infrastructure Survey in Wilmington

• Camryn Walker, Environmental Science, University of Delaware
• Emily Rodden, Geography, University of Delaware

• Vaishnavi Tripuraneni, Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware

Delaware is the lowest lying state in the US and has experienced over a foot of sea-level rise over the past century. Due to its aging sewage/stormwater systems, Wilmington is particularly vulnerable to flooding, especially during coastal storms and intense rainfall. Improving the sewer and stormwater infrastructure is an important priority area identified in the Resilient Wilmington Report. Compared to traditional gray stormwater infrastructure commonly used, newer methods of managing stormwater runoff such as Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) combine natural and man-made features that have multiple benefits such as increasing infiltration, reducing stormwater runoff, and improving water quality. GSI, such as rain gardens and bioswales, can improve the water quality of Wilmington and provide other environmental and even social benefits in an effective and sustainable manner. However, issues like limited funding, land ownership, and a lack of community engagement has limited GSI adoption, especially in Wilmington’s historically underserved northeastern neighborhoods. This project sought to understand community perspectives on climate vulnerability and identify possible GSI solutions in priority areas cognizant of the needs of local Wilmington residents In order to learn community perspectives on GSI, a survey was created and distributed at community events and by mail to collect responses on resident preferences on both type and location of GSI in their own neighborhood as well as their desire for resources to maintain the GSI. These responses showed that residents wanted GSI implemented in their local parks as well as their own homes, but wanted educational materials, financial assistance, and information on any negative impacts that could result from implementation. These results will be used to create a map of viable GSI locations and types based on the community’s responses to better assist residents and eventually give information to civil servants and city council members.