"Natural stormwater systems can be easily integrated into your landscape design to provide beautiful and useful open space areas."
Traditional Approach:
Stormwater runoff results from rainfall that flows off of impermeable surfaces such as pavement and building rooftops. As natural areas are built up and paved over by urbanization, the infiltration of rainfall into the ground is reduced and stormwater flows are quickly generated. Traditionally, stormwater management for most developments and municipalities has meant collecting runoff into a pipe or culvert, and then conveying the concentrated flows away from the site. Over a century of this design philosophy has had impacts on watersheds in developed areas. These impacts can be divided into two main categories: downstream flooding and pollution.
The severity and frequency of flooding increases with traditional stormwater management because the volume of runoff is concentrated and because the time it takes the storm flows to reach a waterway is significantly decreased. In addition, stormwater runoff can be contaminated by sediments and other pollutants, which can accumulate and degrade water quality in downstream areas. Pollutants can come from a variety of sources such as roadways, industrial complexes, residential housing and/or agriculture and, can include sediments, fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum products and heavy metals.
Integrated Approach:
Humboldt Water Resources' non-traditional approach to the management of stormwater is based on a philosophy of minimizing the impacts of stormwater runoff and reducing non-point sources of water pollution by minimizing the generation of stormwater runoff at the source areas and by implementing best management practices to reduce the impacts pollutants may have in any stormwater runoff generated. An integrated approach to stormwater management needs to begin with each development prior to concentration and discharge of stormwater off-site. Management of stormwater on-site with the primary goal of reducing stormwater runoff has two major benefits: First, minimizing the risk of flooding by minimizing the volume of runoff, and second reducing non-point source water pollution in the watershed. HWR utilizes both structural and non-structural best management practices to minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff.
Best management practices can include:
Minimization of pavement:
Minimization of pavement when planning a development increases the available surface area for infiltration of water, thereby minimizing runoff. Regulatory goals emphasize reducing sources of pollution and protecting existing resources. HWR can design or assist your architects and engineers in developing strategies which will minimize impermeable surfaces while maximizing useable space.
Regulatory Controls
Regulatory goals emphasize reducing sources of pollution and protecting existing resources. Many municipalities have imposed fees based on the area of impermeable surfaces. These fees can be a one-time development fee, a yearly maintenance fee, or both. HWR can help you reduce new stormwater maintenance fees by providing on-site treatment, detention and infiltration of your stormwater flows.
Structural Controls
HWR can design and implement these technologies for your home, business, development, municipality or watershed. The designs are low in capital cost and require minimal if any maintenance. Structural controls typically remove pollutants by either settling, filtering or uptake of pollutants by soils, vegetation and their associated microorganisms. These structural controls can be used separately or as a combination of removal mechanisms placed in series.
Structural methods used to minimize stormwater runoff can include:
© 1999 Humboldt Water Resources