Stormwater Management
Stormwater management is the practices and systems designed to control and utilize rainwater or melted snow (stormwater) to reduce flooding, erosion, and water pollution. When it rains, stormwater can collect pollutants like chemicals, dirt, and debris from surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and roofs, and then carry them into natural water bodies, affecting water quality. Effective stormwater management involves strategies to handle this runoff sustainably. The goal is to manage stormwater in a way that mimics natural processes, protecting the environment and reducing the negative impacts of urban development.
Here are a Few Key Goals
Flood Control - Prevents flooding by managing the flow and volume of runoff.
- Green Infrastructure - Uses natural systems like rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements to absorb and filter stormwater.
- Retention and Detention Ponds - Collects stormwater and releases it slowly into the environment to prevent flooding.
- Drainage Systems - Includes gutters, storm drains, and channels to direct stormwater away from buildings and roads.
Water Quality Protection - Reduces pollutants in stormwater before it enters streams, rivers, lakes, or groundwater.
Erosion Control - Prevents soil erosion caused by fast-moving runoff, especially on construction sites and in urban areas.
Groundwater Recharge - Promotes infiltration of stormwater into the ground to replenish aquifers and maintain water tables.
Tags: Water Hydrology Waste Management