The stormwater industry is looking to Low Impact Development practices to solve the challenge of managing millions of gallons of water runoff in cities. Storage is a step toward meeting a fundamental goal of LID – runoff reduction.

One of the most popular solutions being adopted by environmental planners is storing the first inch of rainwater from developed sites such as parking lots, driveways, roads or other impervious surfaces. Engineers are eyeing potential problems and using creative solutions to make water storage work even better.

Some cities are adding regulations or incentives for LID water storage, but they may lack any requirement for pre-treatment of the water. This means that storage equipment will eventually fill up with dirt, trash and oil. Maintenance is too often ignored, leading to the release of dirty water.

That doesn’t mean stormwater retention is a bad idea. It’s a great solution! It just needs a little extra engineering help along the way. Ensuring that trash, sediment and oil are removed is a great start.

Treating stormwater with an Aqua-Swirl along with storage is even better. That means good clean water is stored and released back into the streams and lakes that need it. When a mere 0.3% of the Earth’s freshwater is found in rivers and lakes, we can’t afford not to provide water quality treatment wherever possible.

Engineers are also pairing storage with surface infiltration such as permeable pavers. 

What else has worked for you? Post your suggestions below.

One of the leading topics in stormwater management today is the drive for sustainability, green infrastructure designs and Low Impact Development (LID) practices.

Mark Miller, research scientist for AquaShield, Inc., presented trends in LID and changing stormwater regulations in Chattanooga at the Engineers Club. Mark offered an overview of the topics and discussed the movement toward water catchment versus end of pipe solutions.

Key takeaways included:

• Storage is important, but pretreatment is the first key to the success of a storage based LID plan
• When picking an LID plan, consider the benefits of each. Pick the best possible solution for the problem at hand based on your goals. 
• Maintenance is essential and must be considered on the front end. Poor upkeep can subtract from the benefits of a progressive LID plan.

• Biofiltration helps groundwater recharge and reduces the heat island effect.
  

There is no single solution for stormwater management. This makes multiple technologies needed to solve problems. Solutions can include, media filtration, surface and subsurface infiltration, treatment and storage, rain harvesting, drivable grass and many more.

Civil engineers and contracting companies are under a lot of pressure to deliver projects on schedule and on budget throughout the site development process. With increasing focus on stormwater runoff, there are a lot of things to consider when looking at bids and overall project cost.

1.    Installation of many traditional concrete stormwater products require multiple pieces of heavy machinery. Having an extra crane on site for additional days can really add to installation costs.

2.    Sealing piping into a system might be extra. Some products are custom-designed and require little to no assembly on site, but others require sealing these devices at the time of installation and even include a disclaimer placing responsibility for leaks on the contractor installing the product. Read the fine print to ensure you aren’t adding time or risk to your project.

3.    Delivery for products can be very expensive and can even include road closures to get your finished product to the application site. Check to find out what kind of extra delivery fees you might pay that aren’t included in the bid.

4.    Maintenance might not be a top priority when a product is installed, but it sure will be later. 

 A system should be designed for maintenance, and not all products are created equal when it comes to inspections and upkeep. Check the product’s maintenance manual for using special tools or equipment, whether training is needed to maintain the stormwater system, and how often cleaning is required. You can bring extra value to your customers by helping them consider the future functionality of these products.

To find out how AquaShield can ease the challenges of the bidding process and avoid these unexpected cost, call our experienced stormwater experts and engineers at 423-870-8888.

The Aqua-Swirl just passed the big New Jersey field test! While only lab testing is required, that wasn’t enough for us.

At AquaShield we are dedicated to going beyond lab testing because we are confident that our products work  - even when conditions aren’t perfectly controlled. Sticks? Leaves? All sizes of sediment? We’ve got you covered. Our products work on the ground – literally. 

Looking for products to meet your stormwater filtration requirements?  Call AquaShield’s experienced stormwater experts and engineers to help you find the right fit for your project.

So what makes the Aqua-Filter a go-to
solution for stormwater challenges?

This custom-designed product is a good fit when you need to add filtration after the construction is done. The Aqua-Filter is lightweight, avoids the need for heavy lifting equipment during installation and is fabricated to fit your needs right here in the U.S.

The Aqua-Filter might be the right
fit for your project if you need:
·      Low Impact Design compatibility
·      Cost-effective installation
·      LEED credits
·      Long-term functionality
·      Proven and verified performance