Spring is a great time to do preventative maintenance on everything. When you are checking fire alarms and purging your closet, don’t forget to check things outside of your house as well. This is a great time to check garage doors, gutters, and your storm water management system.
Remembering to check your storm water management system isn’t one you hear as often, but that doesn’t make it any less important. A storm water system that functions at its highest capacity is not only good for you but also for the environment.
The Importance Of A Properly Functioning Storm Water Management System
A storm water management system helps prevent and clear water that runs off after storms and snowmelt. Without a working system, this runoff could go into other yards or bodies of water. This water can contain all kinds of pollutants, including any fertilizer lawn treatments we use on our yards. No one wants that!
If your system isn’t working at its highest capacity, this water could run into other areas or just stagnantly pool on your property. Neither are ideal situations. Checking your system to make sure it is working as built helps prevent the runoff of toxins and standing water on your property. Those toxins end up in local water sources, and standing bodies of water attract mosquitos and other nuisances.
If you notice the pooling of water in your neighborhood or on your property, check to make sure your storm water management system is working. If it isn’t, or isn’t working as well as it could, partner with a professional to make any updates and changes needed.
Causes Of Storm Water Runoff
Storm water runoff happens anytime more water is put into an area than it can handle at one time. Heavy rainfall and floods are well-known examples of natural events that will cause storm water runoff. The melt after a snowstorm is another common situation that can trigger runoff. In these cases, there is just too much water entering your lawn/the roadway/etc. at once. The only thing that can happen is a storm water runoff situation. Manmade problems include running the hose for too long or pushing too much water into your septic system at one time.
Runoff isn’t restricted to just lawns. The pools that come from runoff can happen on any surface. This includes roads, parking lots, or any paved surface. Storm water runoff can also occur with rooftops.
Preventing Storm Water Runoff
If you notice that your property is having an issue with storm water runoff, there are some actions you can take to slow the water down or redirect it. One of the easiest steps you can take is planting trees or adding plants to the runoff area. Plants and trees can help block the water runoff, and their roots can help with the pollutants.
Another excellent tip for a storm water management system is to install some type of drainage trench or rain-catching system. These catching or draining systems can help catch and remove the water before it gets a chance to pool on solid surfaces.
Performing Maintenance On Your Storm Water Management System
What you have to do for maintenance will depend on what kind of systems you have. If you have a storm water pond on your property, that adds another level to your responsibilities. Depending upon where you live, these duties may be split between homeowners and an HOA. A storm water pond will need trash removed and erosion along its banks treated.
If there is not a pond present on your property, you will need to maintain any management systems present on your land. You will need to maintain all rain gardens, pick ideal grass to prevent runoff, keep rain trenches operational, etc.
Roadways that are prone to runoff are the responsibility of local or state governments. If you notice issues in your area, contact your local government. They can send crews to check to see what maintenance they need to undertake in those areas to eliminate or reduce the runoff issues.
Choose All Septic & Sewer To Create And Maintain Your Storm Water Management System
All Septic & Sewer services customers in King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Jeremy and Robert have over 20 years of experience in the business. If you have questions about your storm water management system, set up a consultation to have us review your property and its needs. To learn more, contact us and follow us on Facebook for our latest updates.