The Critical Role That Storm Water Management Plays in Enhancing Everyone's Lives

1. April 24, 2017 The Critical Role That Storm Water Management Plays in Enhancing Everyone's Lives Image 1: This Is What Modern Storm Water Management Can Do For Your Community 1

2. Even today, the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina continues to haunt New Orleans. Concern still lingers that another hurricane might hit the area in the future, only to send the community back into a spin once more. This is why various companies are implementing innovative storm water management practices intended to keep the city above water should a force of nature strike again. As urbanization continues to spread across America, the imminence of more storm water runoff is a frightening reality. As previously open, vegetated spaces are displaced by concrete and structures, the storm water dilemma will only grow in its severity. Storm water runoff originates from many sources, natural and manmade. In urban settings it ends up flowing overland instead of seeping into the ground, where plants and trees manage its volume and filter it before it enters waterways. If there is no effective substitute for natural processes, excessive storm water can cause significant waterway pollution throughout the country. This is what makes effective storm water management necessary. With the help of storm water management and diverted usage of storm water, localized flooding can be better mitigated. This, in turn, makes the neighborhood a safer place to live while improving the quality of life. Throughout New Orleans, storm water management projects are underway to help the city prepare for the worst. Particular projects are worth mentioning due to their innovative steps. Hurricane-Proof Seedlings A company called Wetland Resources is now busy planting hurricane-proof cypress seedlings at a volume intended to absorb the brunt of any flooding from another disaster. What's more, they are planting these trees at an unprecedented rate, going from the usual seven minutes to an astounding 15 seconds each. Rain Gardens Several residential districts in New Orleans now feature a number of rain gardens. These storm water management gardens are placed on the corners of two streets and can absorb as much as 89,000 gallons of rainwater. This is then gradually released in increments so that the New Orleans drainage system will not be overwhelmed. Natural Grass Meanwhile, a company called Urban Conservancy is now working to reduce flooding in New Orleans by utilizing natural grass. Today, it’s constructing lawns made with this type of grass for 2

3. better rainwater absorption. Again, the objective is to lessen storm water runoff in the area and reduce the chances of flooding. In New Orleans, creative storm water management is helping the city become more prepared in case another hurricane slams its coasts again. In the longer term, however, these innovative measures equate to safety and peace of mind: families will never have to worry about the threat of erosion or flooding outside of what Mother Nature herself can conjure. Such protection raises the happiness quotient for any community while also making the city better and greener. About ILSI Engineering: At ILSI Engineering, we provide top-class engineering services, including storm water management to help your site deal with storm water runoff in the most effective way possible. We can work with you to maintain your drainage and pipe systems so that you never have to worry about floods in your area. Sources: Stormwater Management, extensionpublications.unl.edu Urban Stormwater Management in the United States, epa.gov 3