Designing community facing tools for green stormwater infrastructure and groundwater monitoring: a model of interdisciplinary action research.

Abstract

Anthropogenic stress associated with urban development can change groundwater hydrology and introduce contaminants that may compromise its utility. Green Stormwater infrastructure (GSI) alters local landscapes and uses natural flora to manage stormwater and mitigate flooding, but it may also influence groundwater hydrology, and contaminant fate and transport. This multidisciplinary project engaged with community groups to develop and implement a low-cost, citizen-led groundwater monitoring program at the GSI sociotechnical interface in Detroit, MI (USA). GSI installations were constructed at a historic property in urban Detroit, MI. Groundwater monitoring wells were installed throughout the property and at a nearby community-maintained, long-term reference GSI for comparison. From April to October 2021, groundwater and contaminant levels in wells and adjacent soil were assessed using affordable products that citizen science groups could easily employ. Implementing this monitoring program, we identified the significant role GSI plays in increasing groundwater recharge, nutrient and coliform levels. Data collected show slight increases in hydraulic head, especially near GSI, after installation, enhancing groundwater recharge. Before and after MODLOW models of the site show that the GSI also impacted local groundwater flow. Soil nitrite was higher, and E. coli was lower near GSI installations. However, total coliform counts increased over time near GSI. These results have implications for hyperlocal flooding concerns and pollution monitoring in a post-industrial urban setting. Partnering with community groups allowed researchers to engage with local concerns and provided opportunities to share outputs for community-facing planning and education. This article discusses the results of groundwater monitoring and testing and explores how multidisciplinary research can facilitate integrating academic research with local concerns. We conclude by discussing how future research can deepen these connections for ongoing knowledge advancement and exchange regarding urban water challenges.