Cities Learn to Think on Their Feet and Their Streets

Real-time stormwater tech helps cities like Albany manage floods and costs through smarter, adaptive infrastructure

28 Jan 2026

A quiet shift in stormwater management is reshaping how US cities respond to flooding. Once static and reactive, drainage networks are becoming adaptive systems capable of sensing, forecasting, and adjusting to weather in real time.

The change is driven by the rise of digital tools that allow utilities to monitor water flow and storage capacity remotely. Using sensors, cloud software, and weather data, these systems can open or close valves, divert flows, and create temporary storage before a storm hits.

Partnerships between technology developers and infrastructure providers have accelerated this evolution. Boston-based OptiRTC has collaborated with forecasting specialist Tomorrow.io to integrate predictive weather intelligence into stormwater control platforms. The aim is to help operators act before rainfall peaks, reducing the risk of overflows and flood damage.

The city of Albany, New York, is among the first to implement such systems at scale. Officials report that adaptive stormwater control has improved network performance and reduced flooding without requiring costly new construction.

Infrastructure suppliers are embedding automation directly into their products. Oldcastle Infrastructure has begun integrating control units into underground storage systems, enabling utilities to actively manage assets that were once passive. This approach increases capacity within tight urban spaces and offers a lower-cost route to resilience.

Industry analysts view these developments as part of a wider digital transition in water management, as cities face growing pressure to meet environmental targets and manage climate risk. Integrating sensors and software into existing networks allows utilities to extract more value from their infrastructure while deferring large capital projects.

The market is also converging. Traditional engineering firms and digital providers are forming partnerships to offer end-to-end solutions that combine physical systems with analytics and operational software.

Challenges persist, including the need for reliable data, secure networks, and skilled staff to manage increasingly complex systems. Yet momentum is building. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, adaptive stormwater control is emerging as a core element of urban resilience strategies, turning buried infrastructure into an active defence against climate stress.