To complement the comprehensive approach outlined in Objective #8.1, we hope to implement a similar coordinated rainwater management plan for the three urbanized areas surrounding campus. The Champaign County Storm Water Working Group holds a quarterly meeting with representatives from the university and the urbanized areas of the City of Champaign, the City of Urbana, and the Village of Savoy. F&S and U of I Extension will collaborate with this Working Group to coordinate a community-wide rainwater management strategy.

In addition to traditional stormwater sewers and the green infrastructure opportunities described in the Land & Water chapter, other innovative solutions will be explored to complete this objective. One example is a Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance, also known as step-pool conveyance systems, which involves building up a degraded stream (e.g, with sand, mulch, boulders, and trees) to ultimately create pools through which water can flow.  This filters the water, reestablishes the original habitat, and results in a beautiful community asset and value-add for neighborhood homes.    

Effective rainwater management is crucial to combating urban vulnerabilities to climate change. A specific concern for this region is the projected increased frequency of droughts. In response, our coordinated rainwater management plan will include a drought management plan, considering plant selection options and rainwater harvesting techniques.