The Importance of Storm Water Management Services in Louisiana

Storm water runoff has been one of the major concerns for the Louisiana community. Hopefully, the new and innovative approach on storm water management services done by structural and civil engineering firms serves as promising. The approach should tackle the many problems caused by storm water and finally create a benefit in reducing flooding while improving the water quality of runoff for both commercial and residential developments in Louisiana.

At this point, you may be wondering how storm water management services are on the way to reshaping every residential and commercial property in Louisiana?

Let’s list some of the best structural management practices when it comes to storm water – or in other words, how natural drainage solutions can reinforce the use of storm water and create a benefit from it.

Permeable Pavements

This type of pavement is the best way to ensure proper storm water management in Louisiana. In fact, when compared to asphalt and concrete, the permeable pavements allow infiltration by containing a gravel storage layer underneath the pavement which is the main structural support of any paved area. They can filter water and make the surface impervious, and are best used for patios, residential parking places, driveways, fire lanes and overflow parking areas. The permeable pavements allow great storage of rainwater underneath the asphalt and concrete pavers, and are available in various types, such as:

✓ permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICPs)
✓ plastic reinforced grass pavement
✓ concrete grid pavers
✓ pervious asphalt and concrete

According to many studies and research, the permeable lots are able to reduce the volume of runoff annually by at least 60 percent. The permeable pavement and driveway/parking lot solutions in Louisiana are certainly an excellent tool for low-impact development. Apart from repurposing water, they can also reduce the concentrations of zinc, copper, phosphorus and nitrogen – resulting in properly maintained areas free of disturbed soil.

Green Roofing

We are all aware of the hype linked with green roofing. Ever since they have been introduced, the use of green roofing has resulted in energy-savings and functional roofing areas ideal for both winter and summer days in Louisiana. This storm water management solution has been extensively used in northern Europe ever since the 70s, commonly known as landscaped roofing, roofing gardens and even eco-roofing. Implementing green roofing on structures in Louisiana comes with amazing benefits such as reduced runoff, increased evaporation, reduced temperature and eliminating the presence of heat which is a struggle in southern urban areas. Apart from that, green roofing come with extensive and intensive guarantees for a prolonged roof life.

The evapotranspiration, or in other words loss of water from the soil through evaporation and from plants through transpiration – is the greatest benefit of installing green roofing in Louisiana. Additionally, improving the vegetation and treating the harvested rainwater for additional use is another side benefit of these green solutions. Working on a low-impact development principle, the green roofs are able to retain over 50 percent of rainfall annually according to reports, afterwards releasing the large fraction of water by evapotranspiration accordingly.

Why Do We Need Storm Water Management In Louisiana?

With the recent results of climate change studies, every home in Louisiana stands a big risk of flooding and other threats caused by weather changes. That is why legislative controls and requirements have stepped into action. The urban areas in Louisiana can be reconfigured to deal with storm water through improved practices of Storm Water management and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.

But how does storm water management affect everyone living in Louisiana?

Some of the most important benefits of storm water management in Louisiana include:

✓ protecting our health
✓ ensuring safety and well-being
✓ ensuring the stability and durability of drainage systems
✓ improving the water quality
✓ reducing any damage caused by flooding

In the end, the effects of improperly managed storm water in Louisiana can also lead to pollution and spreading of low-quality water, placing citizens residing in affected areas in danger. The chemicals and bacteria from sewage can also be one of the contamination effects when not implementing proper stormwater management solutions. This is why filtration and purification processes, including repurposing and water storage research and development are the core of stormwater management solutions in Louisiana.