September 2014 Landscape and Irrigation 19
Managing
Stormwater Runoff
Proper planning for residential properties
H
omes situated on lakefronts or along
riversides are among the highest valued
properties on the market. Buyers crave
the tranquility associated with water and
yearn for easy access to water sports.
While waterfront properties are the most prized loca-
tions, they are also at the highest risk for pollutants from
stormwater runoff. The United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has named stormwater runoff
as the nation's biggest water-quality threat, because it
whisks pollutants from streets to lakes and streams via
storm drains.
Not only are storm drains the conduit for pollutants
entering water sources, the systems in place are not large
enough to handle the volume of runoff that is happening.
"The existing stormwater infrastructure in place in most
cities was not built to handle the amount of runoff that
is now occurring," said Steve Modrow, owner, ASLA,
Principal Design, biota Landscape design. "Existing sys-
tems in large cities are failing due to age and deferred
maintenance."
Traditionally thought of as a municipal issue, storm-
water runoff can be eased with well planned landscape
projects. Landscape contractors can play a critical role
in encouraging homeowners to consider designs that
beautify their homes while simultaneously reducing the
impacts of stormwater runoff.
As cities and suburbs become more densely popu-
lated, the more critical it is to encourage homeowners to
consider landscaping projects that can help alleviate the
burden on municipal systems.
Controlling stormwater runoff on residential prop-
erties not only helps reduce flooding, it also limits the
amount of pollutants that enter a natural waterway due
to runoff. "Stormwater runs directly to nearby bodies of
water, allowing chemicals and debris to readily enter the
water, creating a host of concerns," said Modrow.
In undeveloped areas with natural vegetation, water
soaks into the ground. Today, much of the land in urban
Smaller stone and gravel can be incorporated into a design to give water
a place to collect rather than resulting in runoff.
Controlling stormwater runoff
on residential properties not only
helps reduce flooding, it also
limits the amount of pollutants
that enter a natural waterway
due to runoff.
