In metropolitan and urban environments the shortage of available space and the high cost of land for building stormwater catchment basins or retention ponds and treatment facilities demands a new approach. Federal, State and local government agencies are now beginning to recognize the environmental and economic cost of doing nothing and have begun to enact legislation aimed at limiting stormwater runoff. This trend is expected to accelerate in the future.
The current solutions to the problem of storm water runoff are limited due to funding availability and a recognition that a new approach is needed. The new approach that has the greatest chance of success is one that does not require large scale infrastructure development and one that deals with the issue at the source of the runoff or source point. At the Source Point small scale low impact development (LID) projects can be implemented that contain the storm water runoff on site and through filtration and natural percolation return the runoff to the water table and aquifer to replenish the ground water resource.
Current solutions include a planted rain garden that is a water catchment pond or basin that is planted with suitable plants that will hold the rain water until it soaks into the ground. If the land is available this is a viable and attractive solution.
A second solution is the use of permeable concrete that allows water to pass through and soak naturally into the ground. This is also a viable solution in cases where the sub soil allows rapid natural absorption or where the contractor can adequately prepare the site. Permeable concrete is not a viable solution in areas of high vehicle or foot traffic, it also requires periodic maintenance to prevent silt build-up from blocking the porous channels.
A third solution is the use of open pavers that also allow the natural flow of rainwater into the ground. These pavers are also a viable and more attractive solution but have many of the same drawbacks as the permeable concrete.
In order for a solution to be viable it must be economical, attractive, durable, simple to install and easy to maintain and it must address the first flush containment of storm water run-off. Owners and developers will rarely pay a heavy premium to install a storm water containment system unless it is mandated by State or Federal Agencies unless the cost is minor in relation to the overall project. The system must be attractive to the owner or developer and be able to meet the kind of use profile that might be expected in an urban environment. The system must be durable, easy to maintain and use simple technology with no downstream risk. Any parts needed to support the system must be readily available at the local hardware store. Finally the system must meet local conditions and be designed to handle the yearly storm water conditions at the selected site.
Only Oceansafe™ meets all these criteria.
