Protecting Homes and Businesses Through Stormwater Planning

Efficient Stormwater Management from McClure

While our homes can keep us warm and dry, the forces of nature are still capable of disrupting communities and their residents. For example, excess stormwater runoff from rain or snowfall can cause physical damage to property as well as spread illness and pollution, when properly managed and implemented, professional stormwater planning can ofter the designs and strategies capable of minimizing these hazards.

McClure and our team of experts can help you devise a stormwater plan that can reduce and even eliminate the negative impacts of stormwater runoff. We can also assist with the planning and construction of infrastructure designed to assist with runoff management.

Why Does Stormwater Runoff Need to Be Managed?

Proper management of stormwater runoff is a complex civic and environmental challenge, and the frequency of extreme precipitation events has increased. To combat this problem, a prompt and comprehensive response must be developed in the form of an effective stormwater management plan. With the expertise McClure can provide, regional stormwater plans can accomplish the following:

The safe and efficient redirection of stormwater runoff: Runoff water should be diverted away from at risk property or sensitive natural habitats at a rate that allows maximum absorption into the soil and minimal erosion.

Minimal or controlled flooding: While infrastructure can be implemented to store or redirect runoff water, no amount of planning can account for record-setting rainfall. Effective planning should then help manage flooding when it can’t be outright prevented, protecting the public as much as possible.

Public health and safety: Excess runoff water poses multiple hazards to the public. Not only can it carry disease and pollutants, but flooding can trap people in their homes or cause serious injury while slowing emergency services. We can develop a plan that keeps everyone safe and healthy.

Implementing Best Management Practices

Key elements of every runoff plan include Best Management Practices or BMPs. BMPs consist of structural, managerial, or even vegetative practices designed to assist with the storing, filtration, and discharge of runoff water. The selection and implementation of BMPs depend on the specific site conditions and goals of the plan.

The first step in implementing BMPs is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the site to identify the primary stormwater runoff issues, such as flooding, erosion, or water pollution. This assessment will typically involve analyzing typograhpy, hydrology, and land use of the area, as well as identifying all existing stormwater management infrastructure.

For example, rural communities may choose to focus on protecting natural waterways while urban environments may be more concerned with preventing floods through permeable pavement. Once potential issues have been identified, the appropriate BMPs can be selected to mitigate those issues. Some common tvpes of BMPs include:

Retention Ponds: Retention ponds are man-made ponds designed to store stormwater runoff. They can help to reduce the risk of flooding by slowing down the flow of water and storing it in a safe area.

Sediment Ponds: Similiar to a retention pond, sediment ponds differ because they are designed to trap sediment and other pollutants from the stormwater runoff.

Oil-Grit Separators: Also known as water quality inlets, oil-grit/grease separators are designed to separate chemical substances like oil and grease from stormwater runoff.

Bioswales: Bioswales are shallow channels filled with native plants that are designed to filter and treat stormwater runoff. Plants are chosen for their ability to tolerate high water levels and slow the flow of runoff.

Rain Gardens: Rain gardens are shallow depressions capable of capturing and filtering stormwater runoff. They are typically filled with native plants and mulch, which help to slow down and filter the runoff. While a rain garden can be implemented on a wider scale, individual rain gardens are one strategy home and business owners use to limit flooding on their own property.

Permeable Pavement: Permeable pavement is a type of pavement that allows water to pass through it, which can help to reduce the amount of runoff that reaches the ground.

After the appropriate BMPs have been selected, the next step is to design and implement the stormwater management infrastructure. This may involve the use of computer modeling and design software to ensure that the selected infrastructure will be effective in managing the stormwater runoff. The design should also take into account local, state, and federal regulations for stormwater management.

Satisfying Regulations

Regulatory agencies at all levels of government may be involved with the creation and implementation of stormwater planning. The specific agencies involved depends on the type of development as well as the status of adjacent land. Permits may be required and many runoff plans require consistent maintenance and safety inspections to ensure compliance.

At the federal level, these projects may involve the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and even the Fish and Wildlife Service. More regional agencies include both health or public works departments at both the state and municipal level.

Protecting the Future Through Sustainability and Green Infrastructure