Stormwater runoff is a major problem almost everywhere. In our area, heavy rain and snow washes what the world and its residents leave behind: dirt, trash, animal droppings (birds are a notable contributor in our area) and more into stormwater drainage inlets and into Narragansett Bay. When the storm drainage inlets get block and clogged up, it causes flooding or icing, and a build up of unsightly trash.
While exvcating our lot, we had to clear out a large area of invasive vines, trees, shubbery and whatnot that had grown up and around an electric pole. When we did, we found a stormwater inlet that had been buried for what I will guess is the better part of a decade. It was laden with trash – beer cans, wrappers, styrofoam cups, you name it. The overgowth was so bad that plants were growing out from the inlet.
We took it upon oursleves to clean it and build what I believe to be is a very impressive inlet.
First we started with the clean out of the vines and overgrowth, then we removed all trash and sent it to the appropriate construction receptacle. We then dug out the whole area and created a natural grade for the water to flow into the stormwater inlet, adding large stones around it to form a retention wall to prevent runoff from blocking the drain again. Here’s a photo:
The end result was both functional and beautifying; and I believe we achieved a LEED-H point for all of our handywork!
KDL | follow me on Twitter: newscaster
Filed under: Green, Green Building, LEED | Tagged: stormwater runoff, water inlets, water pollution prevention tips
