Storm Water Management Plan
Why Stormwater Management Matters
Stormwater runoff is created when snowmelt or precipitation events cause overflow to land or impervious surfaces preventing the water from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater management addresses this issue by capturing and slowing the runoff. At AQUALIS we provide services well beyond any other firm in the market, from planning and engineering, through construction management and long-term maintenance, all within one company through connected systems. We understand that stormwater, left untreated, can be one of our most critical environmental issues, as it can lead to erosion, pollution and flooding. We develop and tailor a Stormwater Management Plan that not only mitigates the risks of stormwater but treats the runoff as a resource, allowing for long term sustainability, both for the environment, and your budget!
Hazards of Stormwater Runoff
The porous and varied terrain of natural landscapes like forests, wetlands and grasslands traps rainwater and snowmelt and allows them to filter slowly into the ground. As our natural landscape experiences more and more urban development, impervious surfaces like roads, paved streets, parking lots and rooftops prevent rain and snowmelt from infiltrating, or soaking, into the ground. Most rainfall and snowmelt remains above the surface, where it runs off rapidly in large amounts. When water flows off slopes or impervious surfaces, it flows quickly. This rapid flow in streams can cause erosion, resulting in habitat loss and sediment deposition downstream. The runoff envelops and transports pollutants into bodies of water, like lakes or streams, as well as groundwater.
EPA: Clean Water Act (CWA)
The EPA protects the nation’s water supply through the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. Under the CWA, the EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting stormwater management requirements for communities, developments, businesses and residential areas. The EPA has also set water quality standards for contaminants in surface waters. Local, state and federal regulations dictate the quantity and quality of runoff a property is allowed to discharge. Establishing a stormwater management plan is a crucial step in any construction project to treat and detain the necessary amount of runoff.
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Developing your Stormwater Management Plan
At AQUALIS we approach each site as unique, understanding our clients’ long-term goals in addition to the site’s characteristics to develop effective, sustainable solutions. Knowing that each development presents different challenges to follow stormwater management regulations, AQUALIS listens to client needs and expectations incorporating their insight into a solution. When developing the stormwater management plan, we take maintenance into consideration knowing that many municipalities have either an annual or 5-year recertification process.
Some factors we consider when developing a stormwater plan include:
- Identifying any water quality issues to be addressed in the plan
- Ensuring there is enough space allocated to integrate the designed systems
- Identifying any important natural features and develop measures to protect them
- Establishing if the site is located within a FEMA designated Flood Zone
- Identifying any permits that will be required prior to construction
- Complying with any and all regulatory requirements, including federal, state & local
- Developing a maintenance activities and operations manual to ensure long-term effectiveness and function
- Performing construction activities to the client’s specifications, including field construction, construction management, and construction inspection.
- Annual inspections to ensure long-term sustainability and lower overall maintenance and restoration costs.
- Certification and Recertification of stormwater management plans
- Long-term maintenance as part of your asset management plan and budget
War Memorial Center Stormwater Management
Supporting the city of Milwaukee’s Green Print Master Plan, our AQUALIS engineers were able to implement stormwater management practices at the War Memorial parking lot.
Did you receive an NOV? Have an urgent need? We can help.
Notices of Violation (NOVs) or Corrective Notices should be taken seriously. Contact AQUALIS today to learn how to resolve the issue and comply with regulations.