Can Smart Tools and Green Design Fix Urban Flooding?

Cities boost stormwater spending and test new funding, green design and smart tools

13 Nov 2025

U.S. stormwater systems are entering a period of rapid expansion, driven by rising investment, shifting expectations and a wave of technologies that aim to help cities manage increasingly volatile weather. Once treated as a routine utility, the sector has become central to local resilience planning and a testing ground for cleaner and more adaptive infrastructure.

Municipalities across the country are weighing higher stormwater fees to stabilize budgets and replace aging pipes and culverts. Analysts say market forecasts point to multibillion dollar spending by the end of the decade, reflecting long-delayed upgrades and mounting pressure to handle heavier rainfall. These financial shifts are prompting public agencies and private firms to demonstrate stronger performance and clearer long-term value.

Industry activity is adding momentum. A recent acquisition, ADS’s purchase of NDS, has drawn attention as a notable milestone, though analysts also cite other partnerships and targeted deals that suggest gradual consolidation. Suppliers and engineering firms are expanding into green infrastructure and digital monitoring tools as cities search for systems that manage runoff with greater ecological and analytical sophistication. Companies including Advanced Drainage Systems, Contech Engineered Solutions and StormTrap are broadening their portfolios and updating technologies in anticipation of the next wave of infrastructure spending.

These developments reflect a growing urgency among cities to improve flood protection as storms become more erratic. Green infrastructure, once considered peripheral, has gained traction for its potential to curb runoff while offering environmental benefits and, in some cases, lower life cycle costs. At the same time, sensor-based systems with automated controls and real-time dashboards are becoming standard components in project proposals. Experts say these tools offer clearer visibility into system performance and can help avert failures.

Challenges persist, including political resistance to fee changes and the maintenance demands of nature-based designs. Still, the outlook remains broadly positive. With investment rising, technologies maturing and firms expanding their reach, the stormwater sector appears positioned for sustained growth. Observers note that the results could shape how communities prepare for a wetter and more uncertain climate in the years ahead.