Coastal Urban Water Infrastructure: Future Vulnerabilities

Omowumi Erukubami, Austin K. Farnum, Chloe Gerstenbacher, Nicole Mnych, Carolyn B. Voter, Holly Michael, Paul Imhoff, Larry Trout

Key Questions

  • What is the impact of groundwater rise, saltwater intrusion, and intensifying precipitation on (below-ground) stormwater and wastewater infrastructure?
  • How can coupled stormwater-groundwater models improve understanding of integrated hydrologic processes?

Status

This project is in a data collection and model development phase as of Summer 2025

Funding

  • DOD Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts to Groundwater, Stormwater, and Wastewater Infrastructure at Coastal Military Facilities. Project number: NH23-7762. Lead PI: Voter.
  • NSF EPSCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence. E-RISE RII: An Investigation of Saltwater Intrusion in the Complex Coastal Environment of Delaware. Award number: 2446056. Lead PI: Kent Messer (UD). Voter role: Senior Personnel.

Lab Contributors

Omowumi Erukubami
Omowumi Erukubami
PhD Candidate
Austin K. Farnum
Austin K. Farnum
PhD Student
Chloe Gerstenbacher
Chloe Gerstenbacher
Undergrad Researcher
Nicole Mnych
Nicole Mnych
Undergrad Researcher
Carolyn B. Voter
Carolyn B. Voter
Assistant Professor

Presentations

Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Poster
Dec 12, 2024 8:30 AM — 12:20 PM Washington D.C.
Project
Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Stormwater Management Facilities in Coastal Areas with Respect to Climate Change
Talk
Oct 17, 2024 10:20 AM — 10:40 AM Villanova, PA
Project
Stormwater Management Facilities in Coastal Areas with Respect to Climate Change
Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Poster
Jun 25, 2024 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM St. Paul, MN
Project
Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Shallow Groundwater in an Urban Coastal Environment
Poster
Jun 3, 2024 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM Princeton, NJ
Project
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Shallow Groundwater in an Urban Coastal Environment
Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts to Groundwater, Stormwater, and Wastewater Infrastructure at Coastal Military Facilities
Invited Talk
Nov 28, 2023 4:25 PM — 4:45 PM Arlington, VA
Project
Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts to Groundwater, Stormwater, and Wastewater Infrastructure at Coastal Military Facilities
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Aquifer Systems in Coastal Environments: A Case Study of Bowers Beach, Delaware
Poster
Jun 12, 2023 4:30 PM — 6:00 PM Lake Tahoe, CA
Project
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Aquifer Systems in Coastal Environments: A Case Study of Bowers Beach, Delaware