As your business grows, you will likely find that you need to expand your real estate. Developing new structures can be a rewarding investment, but it also comes with many responsibilities and liabilities. Whether you are a commercial real estate developer or a business owner in the middle of expansion, you must factor in stormwater runoff and its management during your construction project.
Every construction site is different. From soil composition to drainage and nearby ecosystems, no two patches of land are quite the same. Before you lay the foundation of any project, you should have a thorough understanding of the earth beneath it. Porous limestone, for example, reacts to erosion differently than layers of glacial till.
Soil and environmental surveys are typically required to design an efficient stormwater system. During this process, a certified surveyor takes samples of soil around the property and notes its drainage characteristics. Any threatened wildlife must also be accounted for at this time, including how chemical products in use at the site could impact them.
The nature of your construction site will determine the number of regulations controlling its development. Failure to comply with these rules may result in hefty fines or more serious penalties and prove disastrous for local wildlife. Consult with your drainage specialist and building contractor to get a better idea of the laws governing your specific project.
As water runs downhill, it picks up and carries away small particles of soil or sediment. Erosion may not always be noticeable, but all of those particles add up to a real problem over time. Soil carried away by water erosion is typically not replenished, leading to habitat loss, sediment in water supplies, and poor soil quality.
Erosion damages the environment for both humans and wildlife. Hillsides stripped of their trees and nutrients absorb less water, increasing the pace of erosion as well as your risk of flooding. Water can be an immensely destructive force and should always be treated with respect. By working with your landscape to manage runoff flow, you can protect your property and the environment all at once.
Stormwater filtration systems curb erosion and remove pollution from water before it returns to nature. The first step in this process is to channel the rainwater that lands on your property so that it collects and runs through filters. Every drainage system is unique and will depend on the topography of the land. Ditches, dams, ponds, storm drains, and cofferdams are all common methods used to corral runoff.
Once you have collected the runoff, it must be filtered before it carries harmful substances to nearby bodies of water. There are many ways to accomplish this, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Most methods rely on running stormwater through a custom blend of neutralizing chemicals and flocculants, forcing pollutants to clump together for easier disposal.
Treating turbid water can be surprisingly efficient with the right setup. Floc Logs®, for example, are a popular first line of defense against pollution. These portable filters are placed along runoff systems to leach pollutants out as the water runs past. More advanced systems, such as Terra-Tubes, filter water as it runs downhill and again before it returns to the water table.
Eco-friendly construction requires significant time and thought. With the help of experts, you can rest easy knowing your new building is in full compliance with environmental regulations. At Hydrograss Technologies, Inc., we are dedicated to creating a safe, clean, and sustainable environment for your business to thrive in. Call our office to go over your project’s needs and begin making plans today.