Storm Ditch

The slamming power of a sudden storm can seriously damage the driving lanes, sending wind and rain down upon the delicate asphalt like a thundering god looking to break apart the very foundations of earth. If it were not for the effective application of ditches along the roadside, there would be no avenue left to speak of. Archaeological studies have revealed use of rather sophisticated stormwater runoff systems in ancient cultures. For example, in Minoan Crete approximately 4000 years before present, cities such as Phaistos were designed to have storm drains and channels to collect precipitation runoff. At Cretan Knossos, storm drains include stone lined structures large enough for a person to crawl through. Other examples of early civilizations with elements of stormwater drain systems include early people of Mainland Orkney such as Gurness and the Brough of Birsay in Scotland. Stormwater is of concern for two main issues: one related to the volume and timing of runoff water (flood control and water supplies) and the other related to potential contaminants that the water is carrying. Stormwater is also a resource and ever growing in importance as the world's human population demand exceeds the availability of readily available water. Techniques of stormwater harvesting with point source water management and purification that can potentially make urban environments self sustaining in terms of water. This sound uses the following file from Freesound: http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=123723