Rain harvesting application on Büyükşehir avenue in Konya

As is well known, excessive and sudden rainfall causes flooding, especially in urban areas, leading to serious problems, significantly damaging infrastructure, and rendering it partially inoperable. In urban areas, short-term intense rainfall, due to issues such as improper planning, insufficient infrastructure, lack of green spaces, and overbuilding, results in a decrease in the soil's infiltration capacity, leading to flooding. During rainfall, water that is likely to flow off the surface can be collected in designated green spaces, directed towards artificial ponds, stored, and allowed to infiltrate the ground over time. This process is referred to as Rainwater Harvesting. Initially implemented in the People's Republic of China, significant progress has been made in rainwater harvesting projects globally. By reusing stored rainwater, significant gains have been achieved, particularly in addressing climate change and water scarcity, while also contributing to the enrichment of groundwater resources. Cities with systems that prevent rainwater from flowing off the surface are referred to as sponge cities. This approach emphasizes the absorption of rainwater by the soil and its storage for later use. Sponge cities feature permeable surfaces that absorb rainwater. As a result, harvested rainwater can be used for green space irrigation and partly to meet the water needs of animals. In this way, the risk of loss of life and property due to floods can be significantly reduced. This study will focus on rainwater harvesting, based on the Regulation on Rainwater Collection, Storage, and Discharge Systems and its annexes. In order to contribute to the development of rainwater harvesting applications, a study will be conducted to prevent flooding in the Yazır Neighborhood, located on Büyükşehir Avenue in the Selçuklu District of Konya. The current combined sewage and stormwater system in the area will be considered as a reference. For this purpose, a stormwater network suitable for a separate system will be planned, including stormwater storage areas at appropriate levels within local parks, as well as underground storage in designated locations. Additionally, recommendations will be made for the efficient use of harvested rainwater at areas where needed. In the event that these facilities are constructed, the transmission of rainwater from the study area to Büyükşehir Avenue will be minimized, thereby preventing the formation of floods on the avenue. Keywords: Rain Harvest, Sponge City, Grey Water, Konya Metropolitan Street