Installing more rain barrels and drainage assets does not guarantee less flooding or fewer sewer spills.
Dr. Sarah Bunney, co-founder and CEO of Our Rainwater, says the harder task is putting the right intervention in the right location—and ensuring it continues working years after installation.
The challenge applies across very different programs, from disconnecting roof downspouts in Pittsburgh and distributing rain barrels in Milwaukee to building sustainable urban drainage systems in the United Kingdom.
Our Rainwater combines three functions that are often handled separately. Optimization modeling helps utilities determine where distributed projects can deliver the greatest benefit. Community engagement supports participation before, during, and after installation. Performance monitoring shows whether the systems are producing measurable results.
Bringing those elements into one operating system allows utilities to adjust programs as conditions change rather than counting installations and assuming the intended benefits will follow.
As heavier rainfall increases pressure on drainage systems, success will be measured by sustained reductions in flooding and sewer spills—not simply by the number of assets installed.
Our Rainwater is part of The Water Council’s 2026 BREW 2.0 cohort, supporting water technology companies as they move toward broader commercial adoption. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gkpnNbjj
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