1. What’s the biggest opportunity for innovation in stormwater management in the next 12 months?

Our Engineering and Technology Center will be the engine driving this transformation. Through research and development, materials science and automation, we plan to:

• Accelerate product innovation. Using full-scale hydraulic testing, sensor technology and modeling software, we’ll validate how our stormwater systems perform under real-world conditions, continuing to test and create products that can stand up to Mother Nature.

• Advance materials and recycling science. The Engineering Center will continue leading research on recycled polymers, structural design and durability to expand sustainable solutions that meet evolving regulations.

• Collaborate through partnerships. Through partnerships with universities and organizations, we’ll demonstrate new stormwater technologies in live environments and share testing program data to help shape the next generation of infrastructure standards.

2. What do you see as the biggest challenge cities or businesses will face in managing stormwater in 2026?

Many stormwater systems and regulations today are based on historical rainfall patterns, assuming future storms will look like the past. But climate change is already breaking those assumptions, and storms are becoming more intense, more variable and more unpredictable.

This means civil engineers will be forced to answer the question, “How do you specify pipes, detention basins, water quality products and retrofit projects when the future frequency or intensity of storms might exceed your worst-case assumptions?”

A few specific consequences:

• Underperformance of existing stormwater infrastructure. Pipes, basins and retention/detention chambers built to 100-year storm or design storm criteria may be overwhelmed more often than expected.

• Stress on water quality products. Heavier runoff can carry more pollutants, erode channels and overwhelm treatment or infiltration systems.

• Maintenance burdens. Upgrading or retrofitting existing systems will become more expensive, and maintenance costs will escalate, including more debris, scouring and clogging.

• Outdated regulatory requirements. Outdated regulations may create vulnerabilities with stormwater infrastructure.

The biggest challenge is shifting from a system based on past regulations to one that is resilient under future stormwater management.

3. Are there any “watch list” issues, such as supply chain constraints, workforce shortages or new pollutants like PFAS, that could disrupt stormwater plans?

Disruption in resin supply can push project timelines and affect budgets. Weather events, refinery shutdowns or transportation bottlenecks can tighten resin markets, driving up cost and extending lead times.

4. What regulatory changes are expected to impact stormwater management in the coming year?

At this time, there are no major new federal or state regulations expected to significantly alter stormwater management in the coming year. The most notable change remains the recent updates to the Clean Water Act, which redefined Waters of the United States. This shift has already taken effect and generally resulted in fewer restrictions on certain types of land development across the country.

5. How do you anticipate funding and infrastructure legislation affecting stormwater projects?

Through 2026, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act remains a strong tailwind for stormwater projects. It’s important to stay prepared and ensure we tell a clear story about how our products improve infrastructure resiliency.

Proposition 4, which is on the November 2025 Texas ballot, would amend the state constitution to dedicate up to $1 billion per year, derived from existing state sales and use tax revenues beyond a threshold, to the Texas Water Fund for 20 years, from 2027-2047. That fund is administered by the Texas Water Development Board, and the money would be directed to flood infrastructure, water supply projects, repair and modernization of water and wastewater systems, conservation and related programs.

6. Are municipalities expecting more stringent water quality standards or compliance measures in 2026?

As storm patterns shift, becoming more frequent and intense, municipalities are already adjusting how they plan, build and operate their stormwater systems. They are using updated rainfall and intensity curves, rather than old historical norms, in modeling stormwater infrastructure so things like pipes, conveyance channels, retention basins and overflow reliefs aren’t undersized.

7. How have extreme weather events this year shaped priorities for stormwater management going forward?

Hurricane Helene was one of the most devastating storms of 2024. It made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region and drove inland flooding far into the Southeast and Appalachians. Over four days, from Sept. 25-28, the storm dumped intense rainfall that overwhelmed creeks and rivers, triggering catastrophic inland flooding in parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. The takeaway is that resilience is no longer optional or just a buzzword—it’s becoming a regulatory standard.

Stormwater rules are evolving from “meet today’s rainfall” to “withstand tomorrow’s extremes.” Municipalities that proactively design for larger, more intense storms will not only stay ahead of regulations but also score higher for federal and state funding.

8. What climate-related risks are driving innovation in stormwater infrastructure?

Climate-related risks such as flooding, urban heat and drought are driving a major shift in how stormwater infrastructure is planned and built. More frequent and intense storms are pushing cities to design for future rainfall, not historical averages, by using smarter, adaptive systems that can capture, convey, store and treat our most precious resource: water. At the same time, rising urban temperatures are encouraging the use of green infrastructure. In drought-prone areas, stormwater is increasingly treated as a resource through capture and reuse systems that help replenish local supplies. Together, these challenges are spurring innovation toward more resilient, data-driven and multibenefit infrastructure that can handle extremes on both ends of the climate spectrum.

9. How are communities balancing flood control with water conservation in the face of shifting rainfall patterns?

We often refer to stormwater as the “redheaded stepchild” of water management. Wastewater and drinking water tend to get most of the attention, but as the climate changes, communities are beginning to see stormwater not just as something to control—but as something valuable. Instead of rushing all that rainwater downstream, more cities are finding ways to capture and reuse it through rainwater harvesting. From collecting rooftop runoff to feed irrigation systems to using large cisterns and underground storage to recharge aquifers, rainwater harvesting is helping communities stretch local water supplies, reduce flooding and build resilience. It’s a simple idea that’s quickly becoming a cornerstone of sustainable water management.

10. What role do you see green infrastructure, such as bioswales, permeable pavement and rain gardens, playing compared to traditional gray infrastructure?

While gray systems are still essential for handling large volumes and protecting critical assets, green infrastructure helps manage runoff closer to where it falls, easing pressure on drainage networks and improving water quality. Features like bioswales, permeable pavements and rain gardens slow, filter and absorb stormwater, reducing flooding while adding shade, vegetation and beauty to communities. Together, they create a more balanced, resilient approach—where gray handles the heavy lifting, and green brings flexibility, sustainability and multiple community benefits.

11. Are utilities or municipalities adopting AI or predictive analytics to better prepare for stormwater surges?

AI and predictive analytics hold promise for the future of stormwater management, but adoption is still in its early stages. Most day-to-day systems aren’t yet designed to adapt dynamically to changing conditions. The technology is being explored more in regional detention and rainwater harvesting systems, though even there, implementation remains limited as teams continue refining the tools and data models. It’s an exciting space with potential, but widespread use is still on the horizon.

12. Any changes to how cities and counties are planning to finance stormwater improvements in the year ahead?

Financing approaches for stormwater improvements continue to vary across the country, but significant movement is happening in Texas with Senate Bill 7, which would invest $20 billion into statewide water management efforts. Beyond that, there’s limited clarity on how other states plan to fund upcoming projects. Overall, the conversation around dedicated stormwater funding is growing, signaling that more regions may follow suit in the years ahead.

13. Do you expect federal and state grant programs to keep up with demand?

Funding will likely remain strong, as long as the current administration continues emphasizing the need to modernize aging and inadequate infrastructure. Federal and state grant programs, especially those tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, have poured unprecedented resources into stormwater projects.

14. What trends are you seeing in public engagement and education around stormwater issues?

ADS recently conducted a Harris Poll, and the results underscore why public engagement around stormwater is changing so quickly. The poll found that more than half of Americans are concerned about flooding near their homes, and nearly two-thirds say stormwater is negatively affecting their communities. At the same time, many people admit they don’t know whether their community even has a stormwater management plan. That gap between awareness and understanding is exactly what’s fueling a new wave of public education and engagement.