Stormwater Systems: Where Nature Meets Engineering
In the world of urban landscaping, stormwater systems provide a crucial yet often overlooked role in managing the runoff from rainfall. Florida has more thunderstorm days per year than any other state in the U.S. and averages between forty to sixty inches of rain annually. When this rain hits the ground, it is either absorbed by the plants and soil or is slowly filtered through the aquifer (made up of sand, gravel, rocks and soil) to become a part of the groundwater supply at a rate of a few inches per day. This groundwater supply provides about 90% of Florida’s drinking water to residents.
With the rise of paved spaces like roads, rooftops, parking lots, sidewalks and the like, rainwater cannot permeate through the ground and filter to the aquifer like it does in natural areas. This puts highly urbanized cities at much higher risk for flash flooding during storms, with water contaminated with pollutants from trash, fertilizer, nutrients, heavy metals and sediments. The flooding and pollution destroys both wild and developed Florida, creating very expensive and difficult problems to solve. Proper planning and engineering tactics overseen by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection help to solve these problems before they start.
There are two types of stormwater management systems: Retention and Detention. Retention systems maintain a permanent pool of water between stormwater runoff events by capturing water runoff and holding it so the water can slowly drain back into the aquifer. Retention systems can be ponds, wetland basins, tanks, tunnels, vaults and pipes. Detention systems collect water for temporary storage with the intention of subsequent release. These can also be basins, underground vaults and pipes, parking lots and rooftops. Some are open, flat areas of grass that can double as recreational areas during the dry season.
Other smaller projects that anyone can do include installing rain gardens and rain barrels in yards, putting green roofs on buildings, opting for porous pavement instead of cement, and petitioning for bioswales and green streets in urbanized areas. Capturing stormwater runoff helps wetlands thrive, protects us from flooding, replenishes the groundwater supply and improves water quality.
Here are a few things you can do to help prevent stormwater runoff:
Only water down the drain! Never dump anything down storm drains, including grass clippings and piles of leaves.
Consider using porous materials for walkways, patios and driveways like bricks, water, gravel, and permeable hardscape installs.
Keep ponds and ditches free of trash and debris.
Plant trees and shrubs around the perimeter of ponds to help filter the water and lower the water table.
Direct rain gutters and downspouts away from pavement.