Looking at future data obtained from global climate models, it is expected that future extreme rainfall will increase in many parts of the world. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation provides a physical basis for understanding the sensitivity of rainfall in response to warming, but the relationship between rainfall and temperature is still uncertain. The purpose of this study is to analyze the sensitivity of extreme daily rainfall depth during the summer season (June–September) to climate change in Korea. The relationship between the observed extreme daily rainfall depth and the surface air temperature (SAT) and dew-point temperature (DPT), which were observed in the 60 sites of the Korea Meteorological Administration, were analyzed. The same analysis was also performed using future data provided in various climate models. In addition, the future trends of extreme rainfall, SAT, and DPT were analyzed using future data obtained from climate models, and the effects of increasing SAT and DPT on future extreme rainfall changes were investigated. Finally, it has been confirmed that using changes in SAT and DPT to look at changes in future extreme rainfall can give more consistent future projection results than using future rainfall data directly.
The increasing intensity of rainfall resulting from climate change is projected to worsen the inundation of urban areas by floods. As a viable alternative, stormwater harvesting presents an opportunity to enhance water supply reliability while reducing pressure on both water resources and urban stormwater drainage systems. The stored rainwater can be supplied with a radius of one kilometer around the storage facility, so less pumping energy is consumed compared to supplying the stored rainwater far away from the storage facilities. To visually depict the characteristics of the selected storage facility, land cover maps were created using ArcGIS. These maps were created for a circular region with a radius of one kilometer around each studied storage facility. In this study, a daily water balance model was formulated using spreadsheets to assess the potential of harvesting stormwater and rainwater for various pre-existing storage facilities. Five different types of storage facilities were selected for this study. The term “SRWH facility evaluation criteria” as a whole is used for the storm or rain (SR) water supply satisfaction rate, the SR guarantee rate, and the SR utilization rate. The results provide evidence that, for each selected studied storage facility, the SR water guarantee rate can potentially surpass 70% under conditions of low water demand. Moreover, we investigated the potential of the existing storage facilities to work as multifunctional resources, while the original purpose for which each facility was constructed remains un-affected.
A conceptual hydrologic partitioning model suitable for the East Asia monsoon climate region is constructed parsimoniously, and the variability of Horton index, which is the ratio of water vaporization and wetting in the watershed, is investigated. Numerical simulations in the study area show that the inter-annual variability of Horton index is reduced to around 60% of the inter-annual variability of annual precipitation, and there is a strong inverse correlation between Horton index and annual precipitation. Using cumulant expansion theory, the probability distribution function of soil water with various hydro-meteorological variables and watershed characteristics is derived. Using the steady-state soil water probability distribution function, the sensitivity of Horton index to hydro-meteorological variables such as precipitation occurrence probability, average rainfall depth at rainy days, and evapotranspiration rate and hydro-geophysical characteristics such as surface runoff coefficients, threshold soil water value to control vaporization, and exponent value to control groundwater recharge is analyzed. Looking at the future Horton index of the study area using a variety of future climate information ensemble, it is projected that the water stress of vegetation in the watershed is likely to increase due to fluctuations in precipitation patterns and increase in potential evapotranspiration even if annual precipitation increases.
Stormwater harvesting (SWH) is emerging as a vital adaptive strategy for urban climate resilience. In South Korea, different types of storage facilities have been constructed under different regulations and laws. Each type of storage facility has its own original purpose of construction. Although these facilities have better outcomes, we aim to investigate the potential use of these facilities as additional water resources. In this study, we assess the stormwater harvesting (SWH) potential of different types of already-constructed storage facilities. Five different types of storage facilities and three different cases are considered in the present study. Case 1 excludes SWH volume during the flood and winter seasons, while in Case 2, only winter season SWH volume is excluded. In Case 3, the winter season and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) facilities are excluded. The Rainwater Utilization Facility is considered as a baseline for comparison in the present study. The results show that, in Case 2, the Sewage Storage Facility, Stormwater Runoff Reduction Facility, Nonpoint Pollution Reduction Facility, and Buffer Storage Facility has 53.5, 4, 2.4, and 1.2 times more stormwater average annual usage potential, respectively. The findings suggest that these facilities can be utilized as additional water resources. It should be mentioned that the primary objective for which each facility was constructed will remain unaffected. Nevertheless, forthcoming research should focus on a detailed exploration of the quality of the collected stormwater and the energy required to supply the stormwater for the end usage.
Urbanization and climate change have disrupted natural water circulation by increasing impervious surfaces and altering rainfall patterns, leading to reduced groundwater infiltration, deteriorating water quality, and heightened flood risks. This study investigates the application of Low Impact Development (LID) and flood control facilities as structural measures to address these challenges in the upper watershed of the Fucha River in Bogotá, Colombia. The methodology involved analyzing watershed characteristics, defining circulation problems, setting hydrological targets, selecting facility types and locations, evaluating performance, and conducting an economic analysis. To manage the target rainfall of under normal conditions, LID facilities such as vegetated swales, rain gardens, infiltration channels, and porous pavements were applied, managing approximately 2362 of runoff. For flood control, five detention tanks were proposed, resulting in a 31.8% reduction in peak flow and a 7.3% decrease in total runoff volume. The flooded area downstream was reduced by , and the benefit–cost ratio was calculated at 1.02. These findings confirm that strategic application of LID and detention facilities can contribute to effective urban water cycle management and disaster risk reduction. While the current disaster management approach in Bogotá primarily focuses on post-event response, this study highlights the necessity of transitioning toward proactive disaster preparedness. In particular, the introduction and expansion of flood forecasting and warning systems are recommended as non-structural measures, especially in urban areas with complex infrastructure and climate-sensitive hydrology.