What happens when 14 billion gallons of stormwater per year meet a hundred-year old system of pipes that is merged with the sewage system and is over 1600 miles long? As you can probably imagine, the result is really not pretty. But you can help alleviate this problem by managing this water on your property.
But first, why is stormwater such a problem?
Mainly because we, in our infinite wisdom, have decided to treat stormwater like toxic waste, to be immediately removed from our presence and directing it off our properties and into a series of pipes that ultimately pushes this water into our streams.
There are many problems with this approach, which can be illustrated by the recent efforts of Philadelphia to address these issues:
* Over 60% of Philadelphia has a combined stormwater/sewage system. Even a quarter inch of rain can overwhelm this system and send road oil, litter, and raw sewage - gushing from 164 pipes directly into the Delaware River, the Schuylkill River, and Tacony, Pennypack, and Cobbs Creeks. Bacteria levels skyrocket. (Note: don't eat the fish!)
* We have sealed the surface of the city with buildings, roads, parking lots, shopping centers, and business parks, giving the rain no way to soak slowly into the soil to be absorbed into groundwater systems.
* What open ground remains has become so compacted from constant mowing that rainwater is unable to permeate the soil.
The city of Philadelphia has just announced a 1.6 BILLION dollar plan (over 20 years) to create a system of rain gardens, green roofs, permeable paving, and other green techniques to deal with this serious stormwater problem. Consider these recent examples of the issue:
* We recently had over 6 inches of rain in just two hours, which caused a huge mudslide and shut down the Schuylkill Expressway.
* Lincoln Drive runs along the Wissahickon Creek which floods almost every time it rains, causing massive traffic backups and delays as this road is closed.
* Certain neighborhoods in the city experience major flooding with almost every rain storm. Streets become impassable and basements are filled with water.
This 1.6 billion dollars is going to come out of our pockets as taxpayers. There is a much better solution aside from requiring new construction projects to devise a plan to manage the rainwater on that site.
We can each learn to manage rainwater on our own properties and let it serve its natural function, and that is where your Ecosystem Garden comes in.
Here are some examples:
- Rain barrels are easy to install, and provide a source of irrigation water that can be used during dry times.
- Rain gardens are beautiful and act as filters, removing pollutants from the rain water and keeping those toxins out of our streams.
- Green roofs require a little more technical expertise, but provide welcome habitat for wildlife, and keep our houses warmer in winter and cooler in summer, reducing the cost of home heating and cooling.
- Rainwater can be directed into a wildlife pond to be used by dragonflies, birds, frogs, toads, salamanders, and more.
What are you doing to manage rain water on your property?
Comments
Great article Carole!
Thank you for highlighting rain barrels as an easy first step we can do as home owners. We got our 80 rain barrels from www.aquabarrel.com
i think green roofs are very interesting to improve the environment! in te site www.greenroofs.gr there is information about them!
Rainwater barrels are a nice start, though somewhat symbolic in terms of the water they retain-> 1 inch of rain on 1,000 sq ft of roof means 620 gallons of rainwater, so there is limited impact in a 100 gallon barrel. Rainwater harvesting systems (roof catchment of rain, conveyence of water via pre-tank filter to retention in large rainwater tanks, pumping out water for use in irrigation, cleaning facilities, flushing toilets, etc.) are a powerful way to reduce stormwater runoff, reduce use of potable water for nonpotable uses, reduce associated use of energy to treat water. Check out www.RainwaterManagement.com
Good collection of information here -thanks!
An interesting idea that we have been experimenting with in a stormwater pond or water feature environment is the introduction of a ‘floating island’ to not only add aesthetic appeal but to take advantage of natures way of sequestering nutrients and even toxic elements from these environments. At the same time, they create habitat for above and below the surface aquatic animals and plants.
tumber.wordpress.com
Keep up the good work!
Jason
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!