Sharing New Knowledge

Internationally renowned expert Robert Traver, PhD, ’82 MS, has been authoring a complete revision of the Pennsylvania Post Construction Stormwater Manual

By Kiera Daly Soltis

In 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approached the Villanova Center for Resilient Water Systems (VCRWS) with a project—to update and modernize the state’s post-construction stormwater manual based on findings from the team’s on-campus GSI research.

Originally created in 2006, the manual gives technical guidance to engineers on new and improved ways to meet Pennsylvania’s stormwater management requirements when developing and renovating real estate projects.

An internationally renowned expert in stormwater management, Robert Traver, PhD, ’82 MS, director of VCRWS and professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been authoring a complete revision of the manual.

Throughout his more than 35-year career, Dr. Traver has accumulated many national awards and accolades, testified before Senate and congressional subcommittees on GSI and flood risk, played a significant role in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ investigation into the failure of stormwater systems in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and traveled the world to share his expertise.

In March, the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers recognized Dr. Traver with its 2023 Outstanding Research & Innovation Award for his outstanding body of work and indelible contributions in advancing the scientific basis for resilient stormwater green infrastructure practices.

“Protecting an environment is not easy, and in the many years since the first manual was published, the knowledge base has expanded immensely,” says Dr. Traver. “The state regulations don’t change. We always need to have clean water and erosion preventions, but from the research we have done, we have proven that there are now new and better ways.”

After nearly six years of work, the Pennsylvania Post Construction Stormwater Manual is slated to be published later this year.