Build Your Bridge to Success: Ace the 2025 Civil Engineering PE Exam!

Drainage design in civil engineering primarily aims to effectively manage stormwater to prevent flooding and erosion. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of infrastructure and protecting natural habitats.

When rainfall events occur, efficient drainage systems are implemented to control the flow of surface runoff. These systems include components such as swales, ditches, drains, and retention basins that capture and convey stormwater to appropriate outlets. By doing so, they help to mitigate the risk of flooding in urban and rural areas, reduce soil erosion, protect water quality in nearby bodies of water, and maintain landscape stability.

In contrast, managing groundwater levels is more directly related to agricultural practices, while wastewater treatment facilities focus on the processing of sewage and industrial effluents. Lastly, soil quality is typically addressed through soil engineering and site preparation rather than drainage design. Therefore, the core purpose of drainage design revolves around stormwater management, reinforcing its essential role in civil engineering projects.