When it comes to property, stormwater management is an important aspect that shouldn’t be ignored. To keep your property in good condition, it’s crucial to take measures to protect it from water damage. This includes implementing a proper stormwater management plan.
Read on to learn more about why stormwater management is so important and what you can do to ensure your property is protected.
What is Stormwater Management?
If you live in an urban area, then you’re probably familiar with stormwater runoff. This is water that accumulates on the ground during a storm and flows into the nearest storm drain or drainage ditch. It can often cause flooding and carries pollutants with it, which is why effective stormwater management is so important.
Environmental Impact
Stormwater runoff is one of the leading causes of water pollution in the United States. When rain and snowmelt flow over paved surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and buildings, they pick up pollutants like oil, grease, metals, pesticides, and fertilizers. These pollutants can contaminate waterways and harm fish and other aquatic life.
Stormwater runoff can also cause erosion and flooding. In urban areas, stormwater can overload sewer systems, leading to wastewater spills and backups. It’s important to reduce the number of pollutants in stormwater runoff by using best management practices such as rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement. These practices not only help protect our water quality, but they can also save money on stormwater management costs.
Financial Impact
It’s no secret that stormwater can cause some serious damage. Not only does it create hazards for people and property, but it can also wreak havoc on a city’s finances. A recent study by the National Association of Counties found that the cost of dealing with stormwater ranged from $5 to $8 per capita annually (naco.org, 2022). This can add up to millions of dollars for a large city.
Reducing the financial impact of stormwater is important for both the city and its residents. By taking steps to mitigate the damage, everyone can save money and keep our city safe.
Stormwater Management Solutions
Stormwater management is an important part of keeping our environment healthy and protecting property from flooding. There are several solutions available to help manage stormwater runoff, depending on your needs and budget.
Some common strategies include installing rain gardens and rain barrels, using green infrastructure such as permeable surfaces and bioswales, and upgrading or retrofitting existing sewer systems. Whatever approach is used, the goal is to detain or slow down the water as much as possible so that it has a chance to soak into the ground and/or be processed by natural systems.
If you’re looking for a way to manage stormwater on your property, get in touch with one of our experts. We can help you find the right solution for your needs and work with you to install it quickly and easily.
Citations
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. (n.d.). NACo.