Urbanization is often associated with surface sealing and the construction of underground rainwater drainage networks. This causes numerous problems, including an increase in the volume and speed of runoff water to be managed during rainfall events, which contributes to more frequent flooding, more severe erosion of watercourses, and the introduction of pollutants into natural environments. These phenomena are further amplified by climate change.

Possible solutions include retaining rainwater at the source or in retention basins, which would allow the water to be recovered and treated for various uses, based on a “net zero water” principle. However, these solutions have been little explored in the literature, particularly in Quebec.