Flood Control and Green Infrastructure: The Mission of Civil Engineering Companies

1. July 14, 2017 Flood Control and Green Infrastructure: The Mission of Civil Engineering Companies In recent years, Louisiana has had its fair share of hurricanes and floods. The lessons learned from the aftermath of Katrina has paved the way for achievable stormwater management goals that both the public and private sectors can work on. How can flooding be solved, and are there sustainable ways of doing so? Such is decades-long the mission of local agencies in collaboration with engineers and private firms. 1

2. Implementing Stormwater Management Strategies Indeed, the job is not just about getting water away from homes and urban areas, but in planning long-term solutions that are based on sustainable land use. The Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education published a paper on the best management practices for controlling stormwater and preventing floods. As local authorities turn to civil engineering companies and other private firms, the primary objective is to lessen the movement of debris and sediments from stormwater on the land and to the existing groundwater supply. How can this be done? Experts in this field examine the existing topography of the land, identifying the quality of the soil as well as the type of vegetation in the area. At the same time, they study hydrologic movement, and identify natural water pathways that can reduce soil erosion and prevent rapid land loss. Civil engineers, structural engineers and other specialists are called upon to design flood maps that can protect the soil, keep coastlines intact and conserve water resources at the same time. Recognizing Green Infrastructure Stormwater management does not necessarily have to involve demolishing existing facilities or digging up the land to make way for better drainage systems. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have slowly begun to adopt green infrastructure principles. These encourage the authorities to consider alternative ways of channeling excess water away from residential areas, by directing them to wetlands, floodplains, ponds, streams and even through parks with trees and plants. The EPA believes that these areas can be developed to filter out stormwater, clean off any sediments and even replenish the supplies of groundwater, without causing negative impact or further harm on the environment. At present, ongoing studies on hydrologic movements continue to aid the authorities in implementing such programs. Moving Forward and Looking to the Future Certainly, the work of these agencies and private firms is far from over. Billions in funding have already been allotted not only for stormwater control, levee reconstruction and road 2

3. rehabilitation, but also for building resilient homes so residents can live in flood-free communities. In addition, massive efforts are underway to preserve wetlands, national parks and to maintain the kilometers-long coastlines of the state. In a few years’ time, Louisiana officials are optimistic that the state will rise once again and bask in its glory, ready to face any disaster that may come its way. About ILSI Engineering: Over the years, our firm has witnessed how natural disasters can adversely impact homes and affect lives. Our experience in civil and structural engineering have helped us become resilient in the face of adversity, so that we may be more than ready to lend our expertise to the authorities and to our community. Sources: Best Management Practices for Stormwater Management in the Desert Southwest, OnlineLibrary.Wiley.com Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure Research, EPA.gov 3