Create cooler storm water runoff to improve water quality

Streams and lakes' temperatures have been proven to rise as a result of stormwater runoff from warm pavement and roof surfaces. This is one of the best solutions to urban heat islands. Watery plant and animal life suffer when the temperature rises. The end effect is unclean waters that lose most of their capacity to chill and filter while also becoming lifeless. Another effect of UHIs that has an impact on both those who live in urban areas and those who live downstream is declining water quality.

Making bioswales—constructed dips in the landscape features that can temporarily collect water and allow it to cool before channeling it to streams—is one way to solve the problem. Permeable pavements absorb and distribute more water rather than sending it to storm drains, which helps to cool the urban area's surface. All of the above mitigation measures have the potential to reduce storm runoff, which will help lakes and streams. Due to the fact that water in rivers travels downstream, the impacts of UHIs on water quality affect aquatic species far from the heat source. The detrimental effect of UHIs on water quality is a key driver for cooling urban areas.