How do you reduce runoff and pollution with stormwater management?

1 Why is stormwater management important?

Runoff and pollution from stormwater can have a range of negative impacts on the environment, human health, and infrastructure, such as erosion and sedimentation of soil, streams, and lakes; flooding and damage to property and roads; contamination of surface and groundwater with chemicals, nutrients, pathogens, and trash; loss of biodiversity and habitat for plants and animals; and increased costs for water treatment and maintenance. Through careful management of stormwater, however, you can help prevent or reduce these issues while also creating more resilient and attractive landscapes.

2 What are the goals of stormwater management?

Stormwater management is essential to reduce the volume and peak flow of runoff, improve the quality of runoff and reduce pollution, and enhance the natural hydrologic cycle and ecosystem functions. To reach these goals, you must take into account the site conditions, sources and types of runoff and pollution, regulatory requirements, and design objectives. Doing so will provide multiple benefits for people and wildlife.

3 What are some stormwater management strategies?

By considering the context and scale of your project, there are several stormwater management strategies you can use. For example, you can minimize impervious surfaces and maximize permeable surfaces, preserve or restore natural vegetation and soil, capture and reuse rainwater for irrigation or other purposes, infiltrate runoff into the ground or store it in underground tanks or wells, filter runoff through plants, soil, or other media, detain runoff in ponds, wetlands, or swales, convey runoff in pipes, channels, or ditches, and educate and engage the public and stakeholders.

4 How do you choose the best stormwater management strategy?

When selecting a stormwater management strategy, it's essential to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages based on criteria such as effectiveness, feasibility, cost, aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. Additionally, you must consider how the strategies interact and complement each other. This will help you determine which option is best suited for your project and ensure that it meets its environmental, social, and economic goals.

5 How do you design a stormwater management system?

Creating a stormwater management system requires following a few steps. Firstly, you need to analyze the site and its context, including topography, soil, climate, hydrology, vegetation, land use, and regulations. Secondly, identify the sources and types of runoff and pollution, and estimate their quantity and quality. Thirdly, define the design objectives and criteria, and select the appropriate strategies. Fourthly, design the layout and details of the system, and calculate its performance and capacity. Fifthly, evaluate the impacts and benefits of the system compared to alternative options. Lastly, implement and monitor the system with adjustments as needed.

6 How do you maintain a stormwater management system?

Regular maintenance is essential for a stormwater management system to ensure its functionality and longevity. This may include inspecting and cleaning the components such as pipes, filters, ponds, and plants, repairing or replacing damaged parts, testing and treating water quality, managing vegetation like pruning, weeding, and mulching, educating and involving the users and owners of the system, and documenting and reporting the maintenance activities. The maintenance needs may vary depending on the type of system, site conditions, and weather. Thus, it's important to develop a maintenance plan with a schedule of tasks, resources assigned to them, and responsibilities for their completion.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?