MEMORANDUM

To: Industry
From: Group 4 (Yiamen,Nasser Al-Hababi,Mohammed Al-Hail, Ali Al-Majid , Ali,Hamad)
Subject: Solutions to control storm-water Drainage
Date : 02/04/2024

Background information:
There have always been numerous problems related to stormwater in the State of Qatar.
Sudden heavy rainfall in Qatar causes the overloading which the current rainwater drainage
system cannot hold can lead to floods and significant damage to buildings, highways, and
tunnels. This issue is complex as the damage from floods can escalate, leading to human
casualties. For example, the flood in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2009 claimed many lives, as
mentioned by the Saudi Press Agency. Naturally, it is crucial to address this issue to prevent
such outcomes. The main reason for this is failure of the drainage network to absorb/control
the flow.

Possible problems from rainwater overflow:

● Flooded roads/tunnels leading to congestion

● Infrastructure damage
● Environmental damage
● Institutes have to close down (Disruption)

In addition to generating immediate traffic jams and travel inconveniences, flooded roads and
tunnels also constitute a long-term infrastructure risk. The force of water can degrade road
surfaces and damage tunnel structural integrity within the underground water tanks, making it
more difficult to keep a working transportation system. Flooding causes environmental chaos in
addition to physical harm by submerging habitats, poisoning water sources, and upsetting
sensitive ecological balances. In addition, the consequences spill over into other spheres of
society, where establishments such as companies and educational institutions are compelled to
close due to these disturbances, adding to the economical burden that natural disasters inflict.

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Solutions:

● Place barriers strategically to slow down water-flow: Implementing barriers to regulate

water flow can significantly affect the velocity at which water travels, preventing it from
surpassing the capacity of drainage systems. Thus more storm-water runoff can enter
the drainage system. This will effectively reduce the risk of floods. The placement of
these barriers should be based on hydrological studies to ensure they are located at
optimal points for maximum impact on water flow and storage capacity. Thereby
minimizing the possibility of congestion and disruptions to transportation networks.

● Increasing maximum capacity of water storage tanks in tunnels: Increasing the capacity
of the water storage tanks inside tunnels offers a preventative measure against floods
by guaranteeing that extra water can be securely held without jeopardizing the integrity
of the infrastructure or creating traffic jams. For example in the rains last semester, the
tunnels on Salwa Road had been overflooded resulting in a huge traffic congestion. This
initiative will play an important role in enhancing public safety, as it will reduce the likelihood of
accidents or traffic disruptions caused by stormwater drainage.

● Green Infrastructure: green infrastructure such as Green roofs and permeable

pavements absorb rainfall and reduce the risk of flooding. This method of stormwater
runoff management and absorption is sustainable and reduces floods. Green roofs and
permeable asphalt pathways benefit individuals and the environment. Because of its
ability to absorb rainfall and avoid floods, it protects homes. Additionally, it lowers city
temperatures, makes the air cleaner, and makes cities become more comfortable to live
in. Also, green infrastructure also keeps us safe by making us have stronger roofs above
us that can face strong storms. Green infrastructure improves the environment and our
communities quality of life.

● Flood/Rain warning SMS on phone : Receiving SMS flood or rain warnings has raised
citizens awareness; this has lowered traffic by urging people to stay indoors once they
receive an SMS, which also protects individuals and reduces injuries that can be caused
by hazardous weather conditions. One outcome is that it builds a community that is
going to be all united together and collaborate by sharing information and helping each
other in emergencies. Therefore,SMS warning systems improve social resilience and
well-being.

Decision Matrix:
Human Social Economic Environmen Total

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 Benefit Impact Impact tal
31.48% 27.78% 22.22% Impact
18.52%
Place barriers strategically to
4 2 3 1 10
slow down water-flow
Increasing maximum capacity of 5 5 3 5 18
water storage tanks in tunnels
Green Infrastructure 4 4 3 3 14

Flood/Rain warning SMS on

4 4 3 1 12
phone

In the decision matrix, each flood mitigation approach was assessed against predefined criteria
on a scale ranging from 1 to 5, where a score of 5 signified a strong connection with the
established criterion and 1 denoted minimal relevance. The aggregate scores, as determined by
the assessment team, were systematically recorded in the matrix and adjusted by the assigned
weights of each criterion to calculate the cumulative points for each proposed measure.

In considering the importance of each criterion, the specific context of the issue was factored
in. Given that the urban infrastructure is currently grappling with the challenge of effective
stormwater management, the functionality of each solution in mitigating flood risks was
prioritized over other considerations.
● Human Benefit (31% Weight): This factor evaluates how stormwater drainage solutions
can protect communities from flooding hazards and enhance overall community
resilience to severe weather events.
● Social Impact (28% Weight): Social impact measures the ability of stormwater drainage
to foster community cohesion, enable access to public spaces after rainfall, and reduce
social disruptions and displacement caused by flood events.
● Economic Impact (22% Weight): The economic viability of stormwater drainage systems
is assessed by their cost-effectiveness, long-term savings on flood damage repair, and
the potential for increasing property values through improved flood management.
● Environmental Impact (19% Weight): This aspect investigated the benefits of
stormwater solutions in preserving water quality, enhancing local biodiversity through
the creation of green spaces like bioswales and rain gardens, and contributing to
groundwater recharge and reduced urban heat island effect.

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References:
1. Selbig, W.R., Loheide II, S.P., Shuster, W., Scharenbroch, B.C., Coville, R.C.,
Kruegler, J., Avery, W., Haefner, R., & Nowak, D. (2022). Quantifying the
stormwater runoff volume reduction benefits of urban street tree canopy.
Science of The Total Environment, 806, 151296.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151296
2. Wineland, S. M., Bașağaoğlu, H., Fleming, J., Friedman, J., Garza-Diaz, L., Kellogg, W.,
Koch, J., Lane, B. A., Mirchi, A., Nava, L. F., Neeson, T. M., Ortiz-Partida, J. P., Paladino, S.,
Plassin, S., Gomez-Quiroga, G., Saiz-Rodriguez, R., Sandoval-Solis, S., Wagner, K., Weber,
N., … Wootten, A. M. (2022). The environmental flows implementation challenge: Insights
and recommendations across water-limited systems. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews:
Water, 9(1), e1565. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1565
3. Abdrabo, K.I., Kantoush, S.A., Saber, M., Sumi, T., Habiba, O.M., & Alboshy, B. (2020).
The Role of Urban Planning Tools in Flash Flood Risk Reduction for The Urban Arid and
Semi-Arid Regions. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344202628_The_Role_of_Urban_Planning
_Tools_in_Flash_Flood_Risk_Reduction_for_The_Urban_Arid_and_Semi-Arid_Regions
4. Perera, D., Agnihotri, J., Seidou, O., & Djalante, R. (2020). Identifying societal
challenges in flood early warning systems. International Journal of Disaster Risk
Reduction, 51, 101794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101794

Decision Matrix:

Human Social Economic Environment Total

Benefit Impact Impact al Impact

Investment in 4 3 3 4 14
Infrastructure
Green 2 2 2 4 10
Infrastructure
Smart Technology 2 1 1 1 5

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● Human Benefit: Evaluates how stormwater drainage solutions can protect communities
from flooding hazards and enhance overall community resilience
● Social Impact: Ability of stormwater drainage to reduce social disruptions and
inconveniences caused by floods.
● Economic Impact: Cost-effectiveness and long-term savings on flood damage repair
● Environmental Impact: Benefits of stormwater solutions in preserving water quality and
enhancing existing green spaces