As urban development increases and communities expand outward from their centers, they replace natural surfaces with impervious surfaces, which are mainly artificial structures – such as pavements (parking lots, sidewalks, and roads) all of which are considered paved areas and are covered by water-resistant materials, so, stormwater management is also needed here.
When impervious surfaces replace natural surfaces, the stormwater runoff that is generated by excessive rain and snowmelt is unable to soak into the ground. Some of the obvious effects of stormwater runoff are that it can carry fertilizer, oil, dirt, pesticides, bacteria, and other pollutants to our drainage system and ditches which then – untreated – enter the lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans.
Urban development may sound exciting as it plays a major role in a community’s growth, but if not planned right, it can create unintended consequences. This can harm the surrounding landscape that includes, including overwhelming natural channels, localized flooding, and property damage.
This is why stormwater management design and best management practices need to be engaged to prevent all of this.
Stormwater Management Design in Washington DC and Why Is It Important
Washington DC is no stranger to rainfall, and no matter what the season, heavy rain is a possibility throughout the year and it can threaten the safety of your residence or commercial area. To handle a large amount of rainwater, it is essential to have a robust stormwater management design in Washington DC.
If you are suffering from inadequate planning or you are looking to minimize the effects of excessive rain then you must contact a team of experts who are available to answer questions about stormwater management design and BMPs. These expert civil engineers will guide you through a strategy and assist you to keep your home in optimal condition.
Stormwater runoff can not only damage your property, but it can also damage the surrounding landscape and jeopardize rivers, streams, lakes, and aquatic habitats because of the pollutants it can carry. This can all be evaded if handled properly, and stormwater management design can help quickly evacuate water and do it in a way that will not pose any threat to the environment, specifically the natural habitats.
Stormwater Management DC Project Planning and Design
In an urban area like Washington, DC, the primary problem is that it suffers from extensive and heavy rainfall and it the runoff doubles down when there are paved services like sidewalks, roads, and parking lots.
The uncontrolled flow of water is hard to manage on these impervious services after a weather event, and it poses a challenge to any stormwater management design in Washington DC because these services do not absorb water.
The residential areas are equally affected because after heavy rainfall, there is often a build-up of rainwater in areas such as driveways, sidewalks, and parking areas. This is where professional civil engineers can come in and devise a stormwater management DC plan to stop this water build-up in the first place following heavy rainfall.
How to Manage Stormwater Runoff
There is a range of solutions that can be applied to curb stormwater runoff. The most effective ones are a range of green infrastructure solutions, but it also depends on your budget and property requirements.
Redirect water flow with berms and curb cuts
This is a simple method and it helps capture or slow down water. Berms and curb cuts can significantly reduce the amount of runoff, and it helps redirect water to lower grades where velocity can be handled.
Permeable paving systems
Permeable surfaces like concrete and pavers are also a very effective way to stop the water flow because of their ability to absorb water. Heavy rainfall for days can be absorbed as soon as hits the surface and it is guaranteed that no puddles will form.
Rain Gardens
One of the better stormwater management design is rain gardens, which are appropriately landscaped to capture the flow of the water. This solution very from simple spaces to more complex ecosystems, and their purpose is water percolation rate which is obtained with the help of construction soils and plants.
Rain gardens capture the runoff and prevent it from flowing straight into the stormwater system because of the way it is absorbed into the rain garden.
Bioswales
Bioswales will absorb more rainwater where it falls and have been a big part of stormwater management DC, as rain gardens and bioswales have allowed DC municipalities to manage flood risk that is associated with rainfall.
Bioswales are mainly a drainage course that is intentionally built with sloped sides to redirect the water into vegetation and they also help remove pollutants. The pollutants are absorbed in the soil where they decompose and make the soil healthy. The city or county usually checks the functionality of bioswales and if there are any issues, the property owner is notified. Your expert civil engineers can also help property owners address the issues and help them evade costly fines.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Stormwater management design is a hot topic in the country, especially in Washington DC, and the surrounding areas because of the aging infrastructure that is deteriorating at a rapid pace, which is why cities are looking to capture water by implementing green infrastructure solutions and if your property needs a visit because of this very issue, then contact us now and make the small changes now that can prove to be important later.
Whether you have a commercial property or residential, if you can make a positive impact on the environment then stormwater management DC should be your go-to search on google.