hulevesiviemärissä

Hulevesiviemäri, also known as stormwater sewer or surface water sewer, is a vital part of urban infrastructure designed to manage rainwater and other surface runoff. Its primary purpose is to collect and transport excess water that accumulates on impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and rooftops. This prevents flooding in urban areas, protecting property and ensuring public safety.

The system typically consists of a network of underground pipes, channels, and inlets that direct water away from populated areas. Inlets, often seen as grates in streets and sidewalks, are the entry points for surface water into the system. Once collected, the water flows through the pipes to a designated discharge point, which could be a natural body of water like a river or lake, or a treatment facility.

Unlike sanitary sewers, which carry wastewater from homes and businesses, hulevesiviemäri systems are generally not intended to treat the water they carry. This means that pollutants washed off from surfaces, such as oil, litter, and sediment, can enter natural waterways directly. Therefore, maintaining the cleanliness of urban surfaces and implementing best management practices for stormwater are crucial to minimize environmental impact. In some cases, more advanced systems may include filtration or detention basins to reduce the load of pollutants entering receiving waters. The design and capacity of hulevesiviemäri systems are crucial for effective flood control, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall.