Do-It-Yourself Stormwater Management
Associated People Annie Cox Chris Feurt
Stormwater runoff can be a major source of pollution into our waterways. Stormwater is groundwater from melting snow or rain that is not absorbed by the ground because of impervious surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, roofs, patios, and even lawns. Any pollutant on those surfaces could then be carried directly to our streams. However, if you have a waterfront property at the top of a hill with a well groomed lawn and patio, don't panic! There are now easy do-it-yourself solutions for your home to reduce your stormwater runoff.
The Alheim Commons, completed in 2005, can house up to 20 scientists, interns, and visitors to the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. Alheim was not only built with environmentally friendly construction practices, but it also has stormwater management features. A dripline infiltration trench surrounds Alheim Commons. A dripline infiltration trench replaces the use of gutters by placing a gravel trench around the perimeter of the house. This allows the stormwater from a roof to soak into the ground rather than running off a lawn.
To learn more about other stormwater runoff practices that you can do such as trenchs, dry wells, pervious patios and driveways, rain barrels, and or rain gardens, visit the "New Hampshire Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management."
