Stormwater Management Systems with Help from Civil Engineering Firms

Stormwater management is an important system that deals with ensuring that runoffs from stormwater will not adversely impact the local environment. In order to successfully carry this out, it is crucial to have the proper infrastructure for it.

This is what makes civil engineering companies very important. They have the know-how, skills, and technology to come up with a feasible and viable plan that will allow your stormwater management process to come to fruition.

Stormwater Systems

Depending on the location, varying kinds of systems for stormwater management may be required. Residential areas, for example, have a different environment profile and so will probably have a less intricate system than those in commercial and industrial areas.

There is the kind of system that uses retention basins, which basically stores runoff water to keep it from reaching the natural bodies of water. It can be a man-made, closed structure, or it can be a natural depression on the ground. The idea is to provide 72 hours for the runoff water to be absorbed by the soil and into a shallow groundwater aquifer.

Another version is the stormwater swale, which also holds water runoffs, but is an open system, unlike retention basins.

Despite the varying designs, however, what is certain is that urban runoff is a problem that must be immediately addressed. Otherwise, the area is going to suffer from stream impairment, which may lead to other complications as well.

Detentions are also viable options, whether wet or dry. Wet detention systems are basically ponds. They are designed with the intention of catching stormwater runoffs, and then draining and filtering it out to a section of the pool for the material to be absorbed. Dry detentions, meanwhile, are dry structures meant to hold the stormwater until it is gradually released later on.

Dangers of Stormwater Runoffs

Among these complications would be worsening pollution both on land and water. As stormwater runoffs inundate the soil, it washes away along with it the dirt, fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and more, into the local streams. If there is a high volume of runoffs, too, it can be strong enough to erode stream banks.

Of course, when it comes to urban areas, health considerations take front and center. Stormwater runoffs can bring the pollutants it has washed off right into the neighborhood. Viruses and bacteria may spread, and resources such as drinking supplies can become contaminated.

With all of these, there’s no question that communities must immediately consult with civil engineering firms such as ILSI Engineering to get an effective and practical stormwater system design.

Sources:
What are the Important Skills for a Civil Engineer? Chron.
5 Stormwater Management Approaches. NAP.edu.