What is stormwater management?
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not permeate into the ground.
As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the discharged runoff is untreated.
Why stormwater management?
The adverse effects of stormwater – including pollution, erosion, and flooding – affect the well being of our communities and our pocketbooks. In addition, municipalities (including Philadelphia) are starting to charge money for stormwater runoff.
Stormwater management is of major concern for two main issues: one related to the volume and timing of runoff water (flood control and water supplies) and the other related to potential contaminants that the water is carrying, i.e. water pollution.
Best practices for the control of stormwater discharges include landscaping, which has the advantage of being both environmentally friendly, attractive and a long term solution.
Stormwater Management solutions may include:
- Retention ponds
- Area re-grading
- Planted beds
- Rain barrel installations
- Rain gardens
- Rainwater harvesting
- Underground French drain systems (dry well)
- Vegetative berm
- Wildflower meadows
AquaReale takes the entire property and surroundings into consideration when advising on stormwater management. We specialize in water where you want it…and not where you don’t!