Powerful Strategies for Stormwater Management With Green Infrastructure – Ep 280

In this episode, I talk with Craig Buitrago, P.E., senior consultant at Parametrix, about how green infrastructure and advanced drainage systems are transforming stormwater management, stream restoration, and community resilience. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Craig: What are the biggest challenges in stormwater management and stream restoration today, and how can innovative approaches help address them? How is climate change and increased precipitation being factored into stormwater design, and are there changes in manuals or guidelines? What is your father’s perspective on your engineering career, and how does he feel about it? What factors do you consider when planning and designing stormwater systems for non-motorized trails like walking and biking paths? How do Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques enhance sustainability in urban stormwater management? What are your thoughts on the current state of stormwater management, and what major changes do you foresee in the coming years? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Powerful Strategies for Stormwater Management With Green Infrastructure: Urbanization and degraded waterways present significant challenges in stormwater management and stream restoration. Innovative solutions, such as groundwater recharge and runoff treatment, improve water quality and create healthier ecosystems. Engineers use climate adaptation tools and updated design guidelines to address changing storm patterns and intensities. These efforts include applying safety factors and design adjustments informed by university research to ensure systems remain effective and resilient. Craig's father recognizes the value of an engineering career, especially when it addresses environmental and societal challenges. A career rooted in passion and purpose often gains pride and encouragement from loved ones. Stormwater systems for trails prioritize safety by efficiently removing water from travel ways while enhancing water quality. Flow control and infiltration strategies reduce environmental impacts and strengthen system sustainability. Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques protect native vegetation, such as forests and wetlands, which are essential for natural drainage systems. These methods enhance water absorption, reduce runoff, and support environmental health in urban areas. Emerging challenges include addressing pollutants like 6-PPD-quinone from tire wear and adapting infrastructure to climate change. Engineers focus on innovative treatment methods and resilient designs to protect ecosystems and adapt to evolving environmental conditions. More Details in This Episode… About Craig Buitrago, P.E. Craig is a senior civil engineer and project manager experienced in surface water management planning and design. He focuses on public works and infrastructure projects including municipal stormwater comprehensive planning, stormwater retrofit planning and design, stormwater design for transportation projects, fish passage culvert replacement, stream restoration, and floodplain development permitting. He grew up in Kent, WA, playing in PNW outdoors and soccer fields. His passion for soccer and desire to be an engineer led him to Seattle University where he earned his civil engineer degree and was fortunate to be part of the Men's Soccer NCAA Div 2 National Championship team in 2004. His desire to focus his career on clean water, improving stream health and stormwater management started at university with Dr. Chen and that continued with his first job at Parametrix in Washington State. He recently moved to Idaho and is expanding his project geographies to include Idaho and Oregon.