The Best Methods of Managing Stormwater
Managing stormwater from snow or rain is a common issue for any municipality. Flooded streets disrupt daily life and potentially cause damage to the city’s infrastructure, and sometimes traditional drainage systems just don’t cut it. Here are some of the best methods of managing stormwater.
Green Roofs
Green roofs are a way to include more vegetation in cities and towns—just on the top of buildings rather than on the ground. The vegetation can absorb the water into the soil, benefiting the greenery you plant while preventing the water from pooling. Later, after the storm is over, excess water will simply evaporate. Installing green roofs is an excellent method of managing stormwater that offers other benefits, such as battling atmospheric pollution and reducing energy costs.
Permeable Pavement
A major source of flooding is the fact that so much of our infrastructure involves pavement, leading the water to simply sit on flat surfaces. To solve this, we’ve relied on drainage systems that direct the water to a drainage point. However, the water picks up all sorts of chemicals and pollutants from the roads that then harm the environment it drains into.
Permeable pavement works like normal pavement, but also it makes it possible for water to infiltrate the surface and harmlessly return to the soil underneath. There are multiple ways to use permeable aggregate to protect greenery planted in the city and allow water to flow freely.
Permeable pavement is worth the investment, as it vastly improves city infrastructure and benefits the environment—making for a practical and sustainable replacement.
Bioretention Areas
Bioretention areas, more commonly called “rain gardens,” are a more natural way to direct stormwater runoff. These areas are shallow, landscaped depressions that direct excess water to ponds and other natural features instead of sewers. The soil and natural vegetation in the bioretention area filter the water, ensuring clean water reaches the plant life and keeping the streets clear.
