What is Stormwater Runoff?

oftenStormwater runoff is water from rainstorms and snowstorms that flows over land surfaces rather than absorbing into the soil. Stormwater runoff creates an issue because it can pick up dirt, bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants on its journey. The water can then run into nearby rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams and can compromise the water quality.

Stormwater runoff is more of a concern in urban areas. This is because streets, parking lots, driveways, and other hard surfaces are more prevalent, which means water will pick up various contaminants before the water reaches the soil. Stormwater can also become a concern around your home or business if water does not properly drain.

There are many ways in which stormwater runoff can have an impact on your home or business. It can also impact wildlife, water quality and on the environment as a whole. The following is an overview of what stormwater runoff is, how it can harm the natural environment and what prevention efforts you can take.

Lack of Drainage

One of the main concerns of stormwater runoff is that it does not allow for proper drainage. Stormwater should ideally soak into the ground quickly after falling onto the ground. In rural areas, this usually occurs without incident and there are fewer negative concerns around the effects of stormwater. In more urban communities, the water from rain, snow, frost, and other precipitation does not often drain properly. It tends to stay on roads, parking lots and driveways. As it runs across these surfaces, the water becomes contaminated by dirt, bacteria and other pollutants.

The lack of proper drainage can cause several concerns, depending on where the water goes. If the water gets into nearby water sources, it can impact water quality and wildlife. If water accumulates in one area of your home — such as the foundation of your home or business — it can cause soil erosion. Stormwater runoff can also overwhelm your septic system and cause damage.

Flooding

Flooding occurs when an excessive amount of stormwater accumulates over land. A home or business that does not have proper stormwater management is at risk of flooding, which can damage property, destroy gardens and crops and cause a variety of other concerns. Stormwater management ensures that water from rain and snow properly drain and does not accumulate in a single area.

Stormwater management may include having green areas with trees (also called rain gardens), installing pervious concrete and green roof installation to prevent flooding. Managing stormwater runoff can have a significant positive impact on the local ecosystems and can prevent damage and the need for expensive repairs to your home or business.

Pollution

One of the main concerns of stormwater runoff is pollution. As stormwater runoff occurs, it picks up all of the dirty pollutants that exist on driveways, parking lots and roads, which is a considerable amount of dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants that come from tires, shoes, dirty cars, and much more.

Stormwater pollution can cause a variety of other concerns as well. Much of the water runoff from a storm enters into nearby bodies of water. Since the stormwater runoff is dirty and polluted, it compromises the water quality. While water pollution can have an effect on drinking water, it has an even bigger impact on fish and wildlife.

Impact on Wildlife

As mentioned, stormwater runoff can compromise the water quality of nearby rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. This has a direct impact on freshwater fish as it contaminates their natural environment. Additionally, many types of wildlife that rely on these bodies of water for drinking water no longer have a clean source to drink from. This has contributed to the decline in population for many fish and wildlife species.

Stormwater management aims to keep water sources clean and free from dirty stormwater by constructing and maintaining structures. This can ensure that water has the opportunity to properly absorb into the soil without causing excessive erosion, flooding or pollution.

Costs and Dangers

Stormwater runoff around your home or business that is not properly managed can lead to costly issues and potential environmental safety concerns. Stormwater runoff can cause soil erosion. If soil erosion occurs around the foundation of your property, then it can require expensive repair. The effects of flooding are at times costly as well, especially if the water enters your home or business.

Water from storms can also flood the septic system and drain field, requiring expensive plumbing services to resolve the damage. More notably, stormwater runoff can compromise private and public drinking water sources. It can also harm wildlife as they drink contaminated stormwater that ends up in essential water sources.

Reducing Damage with Stormwater Management

Stormwater management is designed to deal with the concern of improper water runoff. The benefits of stormwater management include improved air quality, healthier wildlife and erosion prevention around your home or business.

As mentioned, there are many ways in which a stormwater management company can reduce the amount of stormwater runoff. The ultimate goal is for water to either quickly absorb into the soil or to evaporate, as opposed to the alternative of stormwater runoff causing flooding, erosion, and contamination of nearby bodies of water.

A stormwater management company will tailor the available stormwater management systems to meet the exact needs of the client. They can help clients with the construction of the system, improvement to an existing system or by providing regular maintenance to a stormwater management system.

Call Dirt Connections Today

Our skilled and experienced team at Dirt Connections offers stormwater management services to preserve the integrity of residential and commercial buildings and construction sites. To learn more about the importance of stormwater management and for answers to all of your questions, reach out to us today by phone or email so that one of our professionals can assist you.

We are glad to address any concerns that you have about stormwater at your residential property, commercial property, or construction site. We have many years of experience in the industry. The team understand what it takes to properly keep stormwater runoff from causing damage and increasing health concerns. Contact Dirt Connections today for more information.