A good rain keeps plants and trees healthy and thriving, but too much rain can cause excessive water runoff or even flooding. As a result, stormwater management is becoming a priority in New York. Homeowners can help by upgrading their landscape to improve drainage and help manage water runoff. Here are some things to consider when choosing a stormwater management company for your Peekskill, NY, property.
What is Stormwater?
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Stormwater is the excess water that runs across non-porous surfaces when heavy rains or large snow melts occur. Stormwater carries contaminants such as pesticides, fertilizers, and litter into natural water sources. It is believed as much as 70% of water pollution is caused by stormwater. Aside from environmental concerns, stormwater can also cause costly damages to foundations and landscaping.
What is Stormwater Management?
Stormwater management involves designing and implementing systems that reduce the amount of water runoff on your property. The goal is to allow as much water as possible to absorb into the ground or be diverted for other uses. Improved water quality and reduced municipal costs are just some of the benefits of stormwater management.
There are a number of different types of stormwater management systems. Factors such as site design, grade, soil conditions, and budget all play a part in which system will work best for your landscape.
Related: How A Stormwater Management Company Can Help You In NY
Impervious Surfaces
Does your landscape have a lot of impervious surfaces? Pavement and concrete create a large amount of water runoff. Areas such as driveways, patios, and walkways can all produce stormwater. Look at ways to reduce run-off by changing the materials used for ground level hardscaping.
Permeable pavers are one of the more attractive ways to update your landscape to reduce stormwater. They look like regular pavers, but have gaps to allow water to flow through. Spaces between pavers are filled with sand or fine stone. Available in a wide variety of styles and colors, these pavers make eye-catching driveways and walkways.
Drainage Systems
The roof of a home collects and creates a lot of stormwater runoff. The larger the house, the more runoff you will have. To get the most of your outside water collection system, have gutters checked for standing water, debris, and leaks. All of these factors will impede water flow.
Eavestroughs and downspouts often direct water into the sewer system. Redirecting downspouts so that runoff ends up in a storage basin or rain garden will reduce the amount of water going to the sewer. Have a rainwater collection tank installed on your downspout to collect runoff for future use.
Related: Drainage Plans Offered By A Stormwater Management Company In Sleepy Hollow
Plants
Bare patches of ground with exposed earth create more water runoff. Replacing bare or compacted areas with plantings that promote drainage will reduce stormwater on your property. A combination of native perennials and mulch will provide maximum drainage with the least amount of maintenance.
Infiltration plantings catch water runoff and provide a place for water to infiltrate the ground. Decorative grasses, native plants, and small shrubs planted near sidewalks, parking lots, or roadways will help collect runoff and deliver it back into the soil.
Urban and suburban areas often have very few trees. Trees are an important factor in improving soil conditions and infiltration rates, however. Tree roots create an underground channel for water flow, while decaying leaves and roots, hence improving soil quality. Adding trees will make the ground more absorbent while the canopy will catch and redistribute rain.
