Imagine your city crumbling from beneath, not from a dramatic earthquake or devastating flood, but from an unseen enemy: rising groundwater. This silent threat, exacerbated by climate change, is quietly attacking the very foundations of our urban infrastructure, and researchers are sounding the alarm. But here's the kicker: it's a problem we've largely overlooked. University of Rhode Island geosciences professor Christopher Russoniello and his team recently published a compelling commentary in Nature Cities, highlighting these often-ignored dangers lurking beneath our coastal cities. Their research, titled "Invisible Groundwater Threats to Coastal Urban Infrastructure," (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44284-025-00298-8) exposes three critical hazards: the rising water table, increasing groundwater salinity, and the combined impact of human activities and climate change on groundwater systems. These issues demand immediate attention and innovative solutions to safeguard our urban environments for future generations.
Think about the intricate network of infrastructure that keeps our cities running smoothly – roads, sewer systems, septic systems, buried gas and electric lines, and building foundations. All of these are vulnerable. The salinization of groundwater, driven by saltwater intrusion, further compounds the problem, corroding buried pipes, tanks, and other essential components. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about flooding on the surface; it's about the slow, insidious decay happening underground.
"I think we have come to an understanding that groundwater plays a bigger role in surface flooding and other hazards facing urban communities than initially thought," Russoniello explains. He points out that previous research often focused on rural areas, examining the impact of rising groundwater on septic systems or natural environments, such as the southern coast of Rhode Island. But what about the densely populated urban centers? They face a unique set of challenges.
Climate-related groundwater changes drastically reduce a city's ability to protect its critical infrastructure. Rising groundwater levels and increased salinity beneath coastal cities can wreak havoc on buried infrastructure, cripple wastewater systems, hinder surface drainage, and even contaminate groundwater, rendering it undrinkable. This creates a cascading effect, impacting public health, economic stability, and overall quality of life.
So, what can we do? The researchers suggest several potential solutions. Incorporating corrosion-resistant materials, such as specialized pipes or reinforced concrete, in vulnerable areas is crucial. Enhancing subsurface drainage systems and implementing dewatering technologies can help manage rising water tables. Furthermore, carefully designing the placement and operation of pumping wells can minimize the adverse effects of groundwater changes. But here's where it gets controversial... some argue that these "hard engineering" solutions are merelyBand-Aids, and that we need to address the root causes of climate change to truly solve the problem. What do you think?
Fortunately, we can also leverage technology to monitor groundwater levels and salinity dynamics. Geophysical surveys and multilevel wells equipped with electrical conductivity and water pressure sensors can provide valuable data for informed decision-making. "With the data we have showing how these changes can affect our aging urban infrastructure as climate is changing and sea levels continue to rise, I hope that this will be a call to action and a call to make positive change," Russoniello urges.
Russoniello is part of a dedicated research team, led by URI professor Emi Uchida, that's studying flooding in Warren, Rhode Island, with support from an NSF EPSCoR grant. This multi-state collaboration involves researchers from South Carolina and Delaware, bringing together diverse expertise to tackle this complex issue. Interestingly, Warren, being a more urbanized area that doesn't rely on groundwater or septic systems, serves as a prime example of how climate-related groundwater hazards can easily be overlooked until they directly impact infrastructure.
"We have social scientists, groundwater experts, and engineers all working collaboratively together to try to understand community concerns and priorities, and what different types of adaptation they may be able to implement," Russoniello explains, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach. The ultimate goal is to develop updated guidelines, codes, and materials that enhance the resilience of coastal urban infrastructure to changing groundwater conditions, utilizing both nature-based and hard engineering solutions.
To truly address this challenge, we need to invest in new research programs that integrate urban planning, social science, environmental science, civil engineering, materials science, coastal science, and hydrogeology. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across these disciplines, we can improve our understanding, prediction, and prevention of groundwater-related threats to our cities. This is not just an environmental issue; it's a societal issue that demands our collective attention. Do you believe cities are adequately prepared for this invisible threat? What steps should be prioritized to protect our urban infrastructure? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
