Storm Preparedness Presentation

Agenda• Storm Drain and Swale Maintenance• Erosion Control• Storm Water Pollution and Low Impact Design• Water Management

Preparing for El Niño• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvmeUStFvz8

Storm Drain Maintenance• Keep storm drains, catch basins and landscape area drains free

of trash, sediment, roots and plant debris

Storm Drain Maintenance• If drains are currently clogged, contact professional plumbing

service to remove trapped sediment and debris by hydrojetting the lines

Storm Drain Maintenance• To prevent sediment build-up in landscape drains, install a rock

border 6” – 36” around the drainage intake

Brow/ V- Ditch Maintenance• Keep free of debris• Check regularly during rainy season• Be sure all drain outlets and weep-holes are open and clear of

debris• Don’t over irrigate slopes as this may cause erosion

Erosion Control• “ The most environmentally dangerous period of development

is the initial construction phase when land is cleared of vegetation and graded to create a proper surface for construction. The removal of natural vegetation and topsoil makes the exposed area particularly susceptible to erosion, causing transformation of existing drainage areas and disturbance of sensitive areas”

• US EPA

Erosion Control BMPs

• Silt Fence

Erosion Control BMPs

• Straw Wattle

Erosion Control BMPs

• Straw Blanket

Erosion Control BMPs

• Jute Netting

Erosion Control BMPs

•Hydroseed/ Hydromulch

Storm Water Runoff • “Urban runoff is the number one pollution source in Southern

California due to our infrequent rain events and unsustainable landscape practices (including use of herbicides and inorganic fertilizers). ”

• US Green Building Council San Diego Chapter

Watershed

A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place.

San Diego Watershed

Sweetwater River Watershed

Sweetwater River Watershed

Think Blue

Low Impact Design (LID)• “LID is an approach to land development (or re-development)

that works with nature to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible. LID employs principles such as preserving and recreating natural landscape features, minimizing effective imperviousness to create functional and appealing site drainage that treat stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product.”

• US EPA

Bioswales• Bioswales are storm water runoff conveyance systems that

provide an alternative to storm sewers. They can absorb low flows or carry runoff from heavy rains to storm sewer inlets or directly to surface waters. Bioswales improve water quality by infiltrating the first flush of storm water runoff and filtering the large storm flows they convey.

• Natural Resources Conservation Service

Bioswales

Bioswales

Bioswale Maintenance• Designed to infiltrate water• Standing water is ok so long as it permeates within 72 hours• Regular landscape maintenance with minimal soil compaction• Extremely limited pesticide, fertilizer and herbicide usage. • Do not pave swale • Do not lower drainage intakes• Consult with Civil Engineer or Landscape Architect before

making significant renovations to bioswale drainage

Permeable Pavers• Interlocking pavers with a permeable bases and subbase that

allow the movement of stormwater through the surface.

Pervious Concrete• A special type of concrete with a high porosity that allows

water from precipitation and other sources to pass directly throughout thereby reducing runoff from site and allowing ground water recharge

• Periodic maintenance required to maintain porosity

Rain Barrels

A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams

Rain Barrel Rebates• City of San Diego: $1.00 for

every gallon of storage capacity up to 400 gallons.• Example:

• 2 – 55 gallon barrels • 2 * 55 gallons = $110.00 rebate

• SoCal Watermart: $75/barrel. Maximum 4 per home

Water Management• Manage irrigation proactively with smart controllers, soil

moisture sensors, and rain shut-offs• Cloud-based smart controllers allow manager to shut off

irrigation system in anticipation of storm events

Conclusion• Be proactive about storm water drainage system management• Routinely check drains and brow ditches for debris• Address erosion control using industry recognized BMPs• Help keep our watersheds and oceans healthy by using LID

strategies whenever possible