Proper drainage of runoff; the result of Arak Municipality’s infrastructure investment in reducing street flooding
The Deputy for Infrastructure and Urban Transport of Arak Municipality, referring to the effects of implementing underground networks for conveying and directing surface water in various parts of the city, announced improved performance of the runoff collection system and a reduction in street flooding during recent rainfall. Referring to the measures taken in the field of urban runoff management, Dolatabadi said: One of the major challenges in Arak during heavy rainfall was the accumulation and pooling of surface water in some streets and flood-prone areas. To fundamentally address this problem, the expansion of the surface-water conveyance and drainage network, with an engineering approach based on correcting runoff flow paths, was placed on the agenda. He added: In this regard, a set of civil works, including the implementation of buried and covered pipeline lines with a diameter of 800 millimeters in various urban corridors, has been carried out. These networks make it possible to transfer collected runoff from several areas and sub-basins to the main flood conveyance routes and ultimately to the river. The Deputy for Infrastructure and Urban Transport of Arak Municipality, referring to part of these measures, stated: Transferring runoff from the gutter channel of Hashemi-Nejad Street (Governor’s Office area) to the flood conveyance system and the surface-water collection network of Imam Musa Sadr Street, directing runoff from the northern side of this street, and also transferring surface flows from the Nisanian area and 22 Bahman Street to the flood conveyance system on the southern side of Imam Musa Sadr Street are among the measures carried out in this field. Dolatabadi continued: With the completion and connection of these conveyance routes, the collection and proper discharge of runoff from four sub-basins has become possible, and instead of accumulating on streets and disrupting citizens’ movement, surface water is directed toward the river through the engineered network. This measure has played an effective role in reducing flooding in areas including the beginning of Qaem-Maqam Street, Shura Square, the end of Alkeh Alley, and related zones. Referring to the tangible results of these measures in recent rainfall, he stated: Images recorded of street conditions after heavy rain show the proper performance of the implemented routes in collecting and conveying runoff; to the extent that in some streets that were previously prone to water accumulation, no significant flooding was observed despite the rainfall. The Deputy for Infrastructure and Urban Transport of Arak Municipality, while appreciating the cooperation and patience of citizens during project implementation, said: Naturally, implementing such projects, due to excavation, pipe laying, relocation of utilities, and civil works, creates some temporary restrictions on citizens’ movement and daily activities and may lead to some complaints; however, today, by observing the results of these measures during rainfall, the importance of investing in infrastructure, much of which is implemented beneath the city surface, has become more evident than ever. Dolatabadi concluded: Surface-water management is not limited merely to collecting water from the street surface; rather, it requires the design and implementation of a continuous, principled network suited to the capacity of incoming flows and discharge routes. Arak Municipality’s approach is also moving toward infrastructural and lasting solutions to reduce rainfall-related risks, protect streets, and ensure the safety and comfort of citizens.
