subject: Types of Stormwater Best Management Practices [print this page] Types of Stormwater Best Management Practices
Storm water regularly causes one of the most significant problems a town or city has to deal with: flooding. Not only does flooding destroy crops and infrastructure, it also carries a lot of waste material with it as it passes through the area, polluting lakes and rivers with garbage and other pollutants. More importantly, floods cause countless deaths every year.
With the help of technology, a lot of different methods to prevent stormwater-related catastrophes are being developed. These methods are also called stormwater best management practices (BMP).Although they come in different types, their purpose is to protect the community from disaster that may be caused by stormwater runoff.
Some BMPs are designed to physically stop stormwater runoff from flooding roads and other vital city areas. This could either be a drainage system made of cement culverts or pipes to channel the water away from those areas. Man-made lakes can also safely contain stormwater during heavy rainfall, acting as temporary reservoirs.
Other BMPs are designed to remove pollutants and waste materials from the stormwater. This prevents pollution of natural water sources when the stormwater is released to a river or sea. Water treatment facilities either use chemicals or natural decontaminants such as algae or microbes that can eat harmful bacteria and other toxic substances. Many stormwaterBMPsminimize runoff and decontaminate stormwater.
There are also BMPs in the form of laws and regulations. Ordinances make sure local commercial establishments are not causing pollution that could contaminate stormwater.Stormwater systemsfollow a set of regulations that are consistently revised to ensure they will function perfectly under specific conditions.
Constantly educating local people about the importance of stormwater systems and how they can help minimize flooding makes them more aware of their surroundings. Seminars also encourage people to do their part in protecting their community from possible stormwater-related calamities.
Early preparation and proper analysis of an area ensure that the right combination of stormwater best management practices present to effectively minimize or eliminate damage that may be caused by stormwater runoff and pollution, potentially saving countless lives and millions worth of property.
