Here’s What to Do After a Storm: A Restoration Plan

What Is Stormwater Restoration?

Stormwater restoration is any effort towards the management of surface runoffThe excess water may be rainwater, melted snow spreading to the streets, lawns,other regions.

Stormwater can be a headache because the ground can no longer absorb into the soilTypically, excess water sips to the ground, where it replenishes underground aquifersThe aquifers feed riversstreams.

However, during storms, the water is rarely absorbed because the ground is saturatedTherefore, the water becomes a mess as it flows in the drainage sewers,road ditches.

As it flows, it carries chemicals, bacteria, soil particles,other contaminantsFinally, the polluted water drains into bigger water bodies like lakes, seas,other wetlands. Storm water maintenance is a conservation plan to collect or redirect the excess water for better use.

How Can Stormwater Management Help?

Stormwater may not be a problem for those living in urban areasThis is because pavements, rooftops,other impervious surfaces prevent excess water from soaking the groundThe excess water precipitates as it runs through drainage systems, sewers,storm drains.

As the water flows, it causes floodingerosionIt also leads to sewer overflowcan potentially cause infrastructure damageThe stormwater restoration plan, use green solutions to harvestreuse itReusing stormwater control adverse effects of the excess waterThe harvested water is used to maintain natural hydrology cycles.

Stormwater management involves harvesting, removing pollutants,treating it for reuse.

Constructed structures such as gutters, storm sewers, culverts,piped drainage form the gray infrastructure.

On the other hand, some features mimic the natural water cycle to restore it from precipitation also help conservemanage stormwaterThese imitations are referred to as blue or green infrastructureThey are effective measures that play a critical role in stormwater management.

How to Manage Storm Water?

There are various ways of managing the excess runoff after a stormIf storm water floods your property, you can do either of the following.

1Redirect the water

Many downspouts direct water to concrete surfaces along the house foundation, or connected to the storm drain systemAccess the lawn arearedirect the downspout to the ground.

The water percolates slowly to the soilfinally to the aquifers.  Additionally, the redirected water does not soak the foundation, which can compromise the stability of the house.

2Rain Barrels

These are huge storage tanks where one collects the excess water for future use.  Planning for stormwater collection helps a homeowner plan for the purchase of large water reservoirsThe water can be used for householdgardening purposes when the wet season is over.

3Planting Trees

Trees are a sustainable method of stormwater managementTrees help by absorbing excess waterThe roots of the trees hold the soil particles together to control soil erosion around your property.

Plant as many trees as the space can holdHowever, maintain a 35 ft distance from one tree to anotherYou can also plant grass around the house to help keep loose soil compact.

4Maintain A Rain Garden

A rain garden is prepared before the onset of the rainsIt is a wide, bowl-shaped garden where stormwater collects until the ground can absorb more water.

When there’s a lot of stormwater, the ground becomes saturated and  can no longer absorb surface runoff until substantial evaporation occursTherefore, a rain garden collects the water for some time, allowing the ground to dry up.

A rain garden is a ditch DIY project, but if in doubt, you can seek the advice of a professional landscaper.

5Install Pervious Pavements

Permeable pavements are thick brick blocks that provide a stable stone base until all water soaks to the ground.

Pervious pavements are an excellent way of converting hard surfaces into temporary surfaces to absorb, managereduce run offHire the services of a professional landscaper if you consider permeable pavers as means of dealing with stormwater.

6Vegetate Bare Areas On Your Property

Plant grass, flowerstrees in any bare areas in the lawn to help keep the soil compact thus, preventing soil erosion during rainy seasonsRemember to mulch to recycle green waste from the gardenMulching replenishes the soil with nutrients.

Stormwater management needs proper planningThere are many ways of preventing surface runoff from ruining the soilwater quality around your homeThe excess water can be contained or used sustainably around the home.