Impact of the greenhouse effect on sewerage systems—Lund case study

Abstract The possible impacts of modifications in rainfall patterns due to the greenhouse effect on the function of a sewerage system are studied based on a case study of the city of Lund, Sweden. The Storm Water Management Model is used to simulate changes in the runoff pattern. The paper lists the possible effects of increases in rainfall intensity on the urban water cycle, quantifies changes in the runoff pattern, and discusses the significance of detected changes in terms of economic and environmental consequences and the possibilities to undertake preventative measures. For the purpose of the present study, 10%, 20% and 30% levels of rainfall increase were assumed. In spite of considerable uncertainty regarding the potential future rate of hydrological changes, the examples given of possible impacts of the greenhouse effect on the function of the sewerage system bear witness to the great vulnerability of sewerage systems to the results of climate changes.