Oral Presentation Society for Freshwater Science 2025 Annual Meeting

Green Stormwater Infrastructure-Informed Urban Groundwater Monitoring Networks.  (117180)

Darrin Hunt 1 , Brendan O'Leary 2 , Colleen Linn 3 , Brittanie Dabney 4 , James Hartrick 5 , Kate Ekhator 2 , Natalie Lyon 6 , Carol Miller 2 , Rahul Mitra 7 , Michelle Serryn 4 , Sadaaf Teimoori 8
  1. University of the Ozarks, AR, United States
  2. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
  3. Antropology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
  4. Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
  5. Limnotech, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
  6. RESPEC, Roseville, MN, USA
  7. Communication, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
  8. Jacobs Solutions, Inc., Royal Oak, MI, USA

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 MODFLOW 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 study examines the results of groundwater monitoring and testing while exploring how multidisciplinary research integrates scientific inquiry with local concerns. Citizen-led, groundwater monitoring projects can deepen these connections for ongoing knowledge advancement and exchange regarding urban water challenges.