Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Storm runoff is rainfall that is not absorbed into the ground where it falls. They pose one of the greatest threats to water quality in most of the industrialized world. In the process of rainwater flowing through yards, streets and parking lots into storm sewers or directly into natural waterways, it carries with it sedimentary deposits that clog streams and reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, as well as chemicals that poison aquatic ecosystems and can make water resources undrinkable. In addition, storm runoff is one of the causes of flooding and exacerbates water scarcity in many areas by not replenishing groundwater supplies.

More and more people are moving to cities, which only exacerbates the existing storm runoff problem, as the trampled, impenetrable surface and lack of natural vegetation in megacities prevent sediment from absorbing into the soil. The storm runoff situation is a global problem, but there are many simple steps you can take to reduce storm runoff at your site.

Steps

1. 1 Minimize impervious surfaces. In the natural environment, most of the precipitation is absorbed into the ground directly at the point of fallout. A significant part of the absorbed water is taken over by the root system of plants, the rest of the water reaches the groundwater horizon, being cleared in the process of percolating through the soil. However, in the built environment there are many impervious surfaces (through which no water is absorbed), as a result of which a huge part of rainfall or melted snow turns into storm runoff. Thus, reducing the area of ​​impervious surfaces in your area will automatically reduce the amount of storm runoff.
   • Replace concrete slabs or paved areas with paving stones. Stone paving stones or bricks are perfect for patio areas, paths and driveways. Water will seep through the gaps between the individual tiles, thereby reducing the amount of storm runoff.
   • Remove the center of the driveway. Your car only touches the surface with its wheels, so two strips of road surface are enough to drive through. Between them, you can plant turf or fill the area with humus, significantly reducing the area of ​​the closed surface.
   • Pave the entire driveway or part of it with the paving stones shown in the figure. Even small plants can grow in the spaces between the stones.
   • A drainage trench or grating can be installed at the bottom of the access road. This can collect water that falls on the rest of the road, allowing it to soak into the soil rather than becoming a storm runoff that pollutes groundwater. Construction of a drainage trench, which is enough for a drain Total running off your driveway can cost you a pretty penny, but any concern for the environment is priceless.
   • If there is a need to pave the entire area, then porous asphalt or permeable concrete can be used, through which at least part of the water will be absorbed into the soil. Keep in mind that these materials are of limited effectiveness as water tends to drain off before soaking in, especially when there is even a slight slope. Also, when installing such a coating, it is necessary to ensure the presence of a filtering layer of permeable soil under it.
2. 2 Gravel trenches along impermeable surfaces. Determine where water drains off your patio or driveway, and then dig a small trench along the edge. Fill it with gravel to slow the runoff and allow water to seep into the soil.
3. 3 Use the water flowing from the roof. From a roof of 100 square meters, more than 1000 liters of runoff can be collected for every centimeter of precipitation. If your drain pipes go directly to the storm drain, then your main action to reduce storm flow will be to divert storm water towards the area with vegetation (garden or lawn), so that the water will not go down the drain or drain into the street. Extend the pipes so that the water comes out of them no closer than one and a half meters from the foundation of the building. You can also put barrels or cisterns to collect rainwater, thereby reducing the likelihood of flooding your yard or basement, as well as making a supply of water for sunny days.If you simply have nowhere to use the stored water, then you can make special drainage wells by placing gravel-filled barrels with holes at the bottom that will slow down the flow of water, allowing it to completely sink into the soil.
4. 4 Indigenous plants can be planted instead of lawns. Lawns are not particularly capable of absorbing and retaining water, especially during heavy rainfall. The problem lies not only in the fact that natural precipitation flows from them - lawns also require abundant watering, which can lead to the formation of even more runoff. Indigenous plants like shrubs and wildflowers create a stronger root system that absorbs and retains water much better than lawns. As a nice bonus, they need less grooming. If you do decide to keep your lawn, it is worth organizing efficient irrigation to conserve water and reduce runoff.
5. 5 Fertilize the soil with organic matter. Adding compost or humus to the soil is not only beneficial for plants, but also helps to reduce runoff. Once a year, fertilize the soil with organic matter in a layer of 5-10 cm.
6. 6 Don't leave bare soil. Depending on the slope and soil type, land without vegetation can be as impenetrable as concrete. If you cannot or do not want to plant the plants in bare soil, then cover it with humus, wood shavings or gravel. This is especially important for newly developed areas where rooted vegetation has not yet formed.
7. 7 Plant new trees and care for old ones. Large root systems of trees effectively absorb water over a large area. In addition, the crown of the tree slows down the fall of rainwater, allowing the soil to absorb much more volume. Plant trees that are regular or water-intensive and well adapted to the area, and also tend to trees that are already growing. When building new houses, try to preserve the plantings on the site.
8. 8 Do not create a drain when washing your car. Take the car to a car wash (preferably one that reuses water) or wash it on the lawn. Also, the car can be washed without water.
9. 9 Break up the rain garden. A rain garden is a garden that is planted in a low area and collects water, allowing it to gradually soak into the soil. Rain gardens come in a variety of sizes and are usually planted at the base of a hill or even at the outlet of drain pipes - wherever water accumulates or is directed to. Moisture-loving plants, as well as a permeable soil enriched with loam and a mulched top layer, allow the rain garden to quickly absorb large volumes of water in just a few hours.
10. 10 Reduce the slope of the plot. If your site has a large slope, then it is difficult for the soil to absorb water even in a field of light rain. An excavator can be used to make steep slopes smoother. To prevent flooding of the basement and damage to the foundation, there must be a sufficient slope at a distance of 5-7 m from the house.
11. 11 Arrangement of berms and depressions with vegetation. Berma is a slightly elevated area, while a depression is a basin with a slight slope. Berms can be used to slow runoff on steep slopes, and depressions planted with grass or other plants can direct water to a rain garden. Depressions can also direct water to storm sewers or to the street: because they significantly reduce the amount of runoff, only a small amount of water trapped in such a depression will reach the street or sewer.

Tips

• Roof gutters are often too small to handle heavy rainfall. Refit your home with larger gutters.
• Will you be remodeling the roof soon? What about green roof with vegetation? It can reduce not only your runoff, but also your heating and cooling bills.
• In many jurisdictions, homeowners seeking to reduce stormwater runoff are offered material incentives in the form of financial rewards or free equipment such as rain barrels and drain pipe extensions.
• When building a new house, you can plan the construction and the adjacent area in such a way as to completely get rid of storm drains. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, low water bills, and reduced risk of basement flooding, tax breaks or other financial incentives can also be obtained. For more information, contact your local pollution control or water conservation agency.

Warnings

• Most of the suggested actions do not require significant changes to your site, but when using an excavator or installing rain gardens, berms or depressions, it is very important to consider factors such as proximity to the foundation and the rate of water infiltration into the soil. For example, setting up a trench or rain garden on soil with very low infiltration rates will end up with an almost permanent standing pond.
• In addition to local regulations that support or require measures to reduce stormwater runoff, there may also be bans on the use of certain facilities, such as cisterns, or the need to obtain permits for certain types of landscape alteration. Contact your local Lands Office for the required permits. Before carrying out any work, it is necessary to study all applicable laws and regulations. Even if it seems to you that the planned changes are insignificant, always clarify this issue with the Land Administration.