Diffusing responsibility, decentralizing infrastructure: hydrosocial relationships within the shifting stormwater management paradigm

A paradigm shift process has begun in stormwater governance and management in the United States, away from centralized infrastructure and toward more decentralized practices. This transition is prompted by heightened climate change, increased urbanization, and an intense call for change in regulatory measures. Within this shift, two key and related developments have arisen: (1) the implementation of small-scale, green infrastructure, and (2) the increasing involvement of individuals and communities in managing stormwater. Despite a perceived need for this paradigm shift by most experts, there continues to be slow progress toward achieving decentralization due to changes involving redefining who is responsible for managing stormwater and how and where stormwater management is being managed. Through semi-structured interviews and Q-methodology within two urban watersheds in Maryland and Washington DC, we assess perspectives on the evolving stormwater paradigm among residents and stormwater professionals, such as nonprofit organizations, funders, policy makers and researchers. We evaluated differences in stakeholder perspectives related to who is responsible for management, the best ways to do it, and the future of stormwater management. We identified three hydrosocial relationships that stakeholders have with stormwater: Market Decentralists, Anti-Market Decentralists, and Technocratic Opportunists. Across these hydrosocial relationships, we demonstrate that there is agreement for decentralizing stormwater management through infrastructural changes and involvement of residents and communities. Nevertheless, substantial differences remain as to how stormwater is viewed, the role and responsibilities of residents, and the most effective policies to engage with residents and communities. We highlight how these differences represent significant hurdles toward implementing decentralized infrastructure and involving residents and communities in managing stormwater. Using these insights, we discuss the potential for alignment and cooperation among these diverging hydrosocial relationships and continuing the shift toward decentralized stormwater management.