Storm Water Best Management Practices

Runoff pertains to the part of the water that runs on the ground surface as a result of spills from the drainage system. As storm water pours, it flows through the drainage system and collects in the lowest ground elevation. Most cities are designed with rivers as the lowest ground elevation. The water collected is conveyed to the rivers to reduce the chances of runoff in the city.

The amount of runoff is directly proportional to the areas covered with impervious materials. Due to rapid industrialization, previously permeable lands are now covered with buildings, roads and wide pavements that in turn trap water instead of allowing it to seep through the soil. The trapped water begins to flow onto the surface to cause flood. Runoff, then, is a more technical term for flood.

To keep runoff at a minimum or even manageable level, more pervious surfaces should be created. Houses in the cities are the best places to start this simple call for storm water management. Most houses today have lawns replaced by pavements and roofs made purely of plain impermeable materials. Houses with wide lawns and landscapes, as well as those built with green roofs, are considered flood-efficient.

Paving driveways, patios and walkways should also be discouraged among houses to give way to more pervious areas. This will keep the water seeping freely through the ground. Storm water systems, such as rain barrels buried under the ground or kept exposed, also contribute to runoff reduction. The system begins on the roof where the gutters should be efficient to convey the standard amount of water from above to the barrels when it is harvested.

Gardens with various plant species can be a helpful tool, too, to prevent runoff, or at least keep it to a minimum. Landscaping, which adds to the aesthetic features of a certain residence, is actually one of the storm water best management practices. The slopes prone to erosion are the most strategic parts of the yard to be lined with plants.

Another example of storm water best management practices is having a sump pump ready at home. When flood comes, the basement is the first part of the house that is severely affected. Using the sump pump, the water collected can be suctioned and released directly to the drainage system or kept in another place for better use in the future.