It is a subject that has received little attention in Kurdistan, and there is very little information available about it. In this series of articles, I will explain its purpose, importance, and implementation strategies. Naturally, the surface of the earth is composed of soil that can absorb water. This natural surface does not introduce pollutants into the water; instead, it filters and cleans the water before it reaches rivers and lakes. When soil is replaced with impervious surfaces that no longer allow water to infiltrate, the water is no longer filtered. Instead, it becomes polluted by human activities and is then carried by rainfall into rivers and lakes. Stormwater management engineering aims to reduce or eliminate these negative effects.
Although these impacts develop slowly, they are significant, ranging from flooding and groundwater depletion to the pollution of rivers, lakes, and the overall environment of the region. Because the problem does not have immediate visible consequences, it is often ignored; however, over time, its impacts become extremely difficult to correct.
The importance of this issue is much greater for areas with low rainfall than for areas with high rainfall. Contrary to common belief, Kurdistan does not receive a high amount of rainfall. Because rainfall is limited, pollutants become more concentrated, increasing both pollution levels and the risk to groundwater resources. Despite the low rainfall, flood-related damage in Kurdistan remains significant.
In the United States, regulations require that the quantity and quality of water on a site before development must be maintained or improved after construction. Based on this requirement, each state has adopted specific engineering measures to ensure compliance. In later articles, I will discuss methods for controlling stormwater quantity and improving water quality, including the approved stormwater management practices in Virginia.
Construction of dams and climate change are a real threat to water security in Kurdistan. It is the responsibility of engineers to first increase their understanding of this issue and its implementation and then raise awareness within their communities.
