Managing stormwater is essential when it comes to planning and constructing new developments. Having a good stormwater maintenance system in place to capture and redirect runoff benefits both your new development and local waterways.
Why is stormwater maintenance important?
In urban environments, stormwater falls onto impervious surfaces that aren’t able to absorb it. As a result, the water becomes runoff and travels across rooftops, roads, paths, gutters, and other surfaces. During this process, the water picks up pollutants and debris, which can impact your development and the wider environment.
The impacts of stormwater can be reduced by making sure you have a good system in place to manage runoff. This can benefit your development and the greater landscape in many ways:
- It reduces flood risk. A good stormwater management system directs runoff away from developments and back into the natural environment. This prevents it from pooling in areas that can’t absorb it, helping to reduce flood risks.
- It prevents erosion. Proper drainage prevents the water from gushing rapidly through waterways, which can cause excessive erosion. This can have a detrimental impact on communities in cases where rivers flood or erosion causes streams to break their banks.
- It improves water quality. Correct management prevents excessive amounts of pollutants being swept into waterways. This is particularly important in urban areas where chemicals, pesticides, oil, grease and debris are common.
- It prevents infrastructural damage. Property can become damaged when pipes are overloaded with large amounts of stormwater, causing leaks and bursts. Roads and surfaces can also be worn away through surface flooding.
How to manage stormwater
Plan ahead
The best way to ensure proper stormwater management is to plan ahead. Before you even submit a development application, you should have a detailed plan as to how stormwater will be managed on your site.
In the initial planning stages, you should consider:
- The existing topography and drainage of the site you’re using.
- Which features can be included in the development, such as wetlands and water tanks.
- What vegetation exists on the premises and how this will impact drainage. (For example, consider keeping deeply rooted trees to help control runoff).
- Local council regulations
Investing time at the beginning of this process will have a big impact on how well your buildings can handle stormwater runoff. Planning ahead is also cost-effective, saving you both time and money in the long run.
Work with a professional
The best way you can ensure your development has the best stormwater maintenance system possible is by choosing to work with an expert in the field. Consulting with professionals who specialise in stormwater maintenance will make the planning process more efficient and will ensure your development’s drainage is set up in the best way possible.
If you would like to learn more about the importance of stormwater maintenance for your development, contact Limcora on 1300 006 606 and one of our plumbing and drainage experts will be happy to help you out!
