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January 24, 2017

Image 1 Important Storm Water Management Techniques for Commercial Properties

When water from rain or melting snow doesn’t soak into the ground, it can flow and collect animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides and other contaminants along the way. It is important to prevent this untreated and contaminated water from entering lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waterways. Here are several green methods your business can use to prevent stormwater from accumulating and impacting the surrounding areas.

Storm Water Management Techniques Your

Business Needs to Implement

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Consider Installing Pervious Pavement You may have concrete or asphalt around your entire property. Although these materials are durable and great for commercial properties, they are not permeable. This means water doesn’t get soaked up and ultimately flows to other places, potentially adversely affecting the environment. Prevent this from happening by installing pervious pavement around your commercial building. This material features a base and subbase that allow stormwater to move through the surface. Not only does it prevent water from collecting in any one particular area, it actually collects suspended solids and filters pollutants. So, even if some water escapes from this pavement, it won’t negatively impact the environment. Some of your pavement choices include natural stone, pervious concrete, porous asphalt, plastic-based pavers and paving stones. If you don’t have any experience installing pavement, contact a structural engineering firm. They specialize in projects just like this and know exactly what materials to use, based on your property’s design. Use Green Roofs Another storm water management technique that is generating a lot of buzz is adding a green roof. This roof is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, featured on a waterproof membrane. Plants on these roofs help absorb stormwater and filter it, just like permeable pavements. They also have many other long-term benefits, such as reducing energy costs, lasting longer than conventional roofs, creating peaceful areas for both animals and humans and lessening the need for complex drainage systems. Probably the most important factor you’ll want to consider when setting up a green roof on your commercial building is what types of plants to use. Hardy sedums, in particular, are great because they do well in soilless growing mediums and are tolerant to droughts. In terms of maintenance, you just need to give them a yearly trim. Stormwater doesn’t have to pose problems for your community or business if you prepare in advance. Come up with a viable solution based on your property’s structure and design. Structural engineering firms are available in case you don’t know where to start or don’t have the necessary skills and resources. About ILSI Engineering: ILSI is a 100% female, minority-owned civil engineering firm that is completely committed to helping you with a wide variety of civil and structural engineering projects. They offer many

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services, such as water resource management, program management, qualified inspections, and coastal protection projects. Their expertise and industry knowledge ensures projects are completed safely, on time, and within set budgets. Sources: What is a Green Roof?, science.howstuffworks.com How Green Pavement Works, science.howstuffworks.com