Innovative stormwater impact mitigation (ISWIM)

Urbanization, climate change, and the pollution of seas, lakes, and waterways pose significant challenges to our societies.

With increasing intensity of rainfall, our stormwater systems are under pressure, at the same time as facing stricter requirements for the quality of the discharged stormwater.

However, there lies an opportunity to utilize some of the stormwater for various purposes in and near properties such as for washing, toilets, and irrigation, reducing the reliance on drinking water.

There is a demand both on local and national level to develop stormwater treatment technologies to meet current and future demands.

The primary applicant for this project is VA SYD, the water and wastewater utility for the municipalities in the Malmö-Lund region.

Together with its research and development unit (SWR), VA SYD is merging with two other utilities, Lumire in Luleå and MSVA in Sundsvall. The aim is to develop the treatment of stormwater and promote its reuse.

Three universities are also involved in this initiative, contributing with their expertise and solutions to address the identified challenges.

Luleå University of Technology will concentrate on developing methods to effectively treat large volumes of stormwater. Lund University will focus on treating stormwater for its use within and in close proximity to buildings.

Additionally, Malmö University is working towards making these solutions socially acceptable and desirable from a societal and urban planning standpoint.