Residential Stormwater Management
The Importance of Residential Stormwater Management
Local Regulations and Homeowner Responsibilities
Federal, state, and local laws and regulations require homeowners to participate in residential stormwater management control (in many communities) to avoid adverse impact to our property, adjacent property, and the environment by stormwater or rainwater runoff. As water passes over roofs, driveways and parking areas it picks up sediment and other particles, nutrients, pathogens, debris, and chemical pollutants that spread pollution throughout our neighborhoods. Pollutants are carried into the waterways and out to our oceans where they can affect wildlife and water quality. Moreover, debris carried in stormwater can clog our storm drains, cause backups, and residential flooding.
We Have the Rainwater Harvesting and Drainage Supplies You Need to Implement a Residential Stormwater Management Program
Contractors Please Fax MPR Supply with Orders at (314) 426-1382
Email MPR Supply: [email protected]
Residential Stormwater Control Practices
As individual landowners, we can reduce this pollution, effectively, by instituting stormwater control practices to protect the environment and augment water quality on our own property and in our community. Here are some ways to decrease the quantity of residential stormwater runoff and improve water quality:
- Capture water from a downspout in a rain barrel or cistern. Rain barrels are a cost effective way to reduce stormwater runoff near its source and to catch the “first flush” of stormwater from your roof.
- Direct other downspouts away from pavement and toward grassy, mulched or planted areas (use permeable landscaping fabrics in mulched areas). You can attach a “French drain” pipe and bury it in order to cross a stretch of lawn with the drainage pipe.
- Create a residential rain garden. A rain garden is a shallow depression in the ground that captures runoff from your driveway or roof and allows it to soak into the ground.
MPR Supply Offers Consulting, System Design and Technical Support to Assist Our Customers with All Their Landscape Projects or Residential Stormwater Management Projects
Email MPR Supply in St. Louis: [email protected]
- Reduce the size of impermeable paved driveways, walkways, parking areas and patios. As repairs are needed to parking areas and walking paths, consider using permeable paving such as interlocking pavers or gravel.
- Instead of piping stormwater to a roadside ditch, install swales or small valley-style lowlands to carry stormwater runoff while moderating the concentration and flow of water leaving your property.
- Design new construction to allow water to soak in to the ground. Decks should be built with gaps between the boards; and bricks, concrete lattice pavers or stones should be used for paved areas.
Of course, rainwater reuse or grey water reuse is an inexpensive way to irrigate your yards and landscaped areas, or to refill ponds and water features that decorate your property.