A 2007 report by PennEnvironment, "When It Rains, It
Pours," forecasts increased heavy downpours and
flooding in Pennsylvania. In many areas of central
Pennsylvania, decades-old storm sewers are unable to keep up
with development.
According to the Stormwater Best Management Practices
Manual, or BMP, the best practice is to absorb stormwater
where if falls and limit runoff flowing into storm sewers.
As Charles Erisman outlined in his As I See It (June 9),
allowing water to percolate into the soil has many
advantages:
"Less flooding and stream bank erosion. With less
flooding, there is less stormwater infiltration into the
sewer plants, and less needed sewer capacity."
Along with flooding, stream bank erosion is causing
property damage in our area. After a nasty storm and severe
flooding about a year ago, some local officials commissioned
stormwater studies.
We should consider BMPs used in other jurisdictions. Using
these tactics in established areas and new development for
targeted flood-prone areas can reduce the scope and cost of
infrastructure improvements:
Plant trees. "American cities yearn for more
trees" in the May 28 Patriot-News highlighted the
growing demand for tree-lined streets:
"Increasingly, trees are the new must-have for
American cities. [C]ities are stepping up tree plantings
in hopes of improving air quality, reducing energy
consumption and easing stormwater flows." The
article noted that trees "act as sponges for
precipitation, catching rainwater and releasing it
gradually instead of having it flow directly into storm
sewers."
Sell rain barrels. Communities can purchase rain
barrels in bulk and resell them at cost (or below cost
with a Department of Environmental Protection grant).
For example, the Milwaukee Sewage District sold 8,000
barrels at $30 each. It noted that "a rain barrel
collects and stores rainwater from your rooftop which
you later can use to water your lawn or garden, or to
wash your car. Rain barrels should be used in
conjunction with other water management practices, such
as rain gardens, green roofs, stormwater trees and
porous pavement."
Rain barrels help slow down runoff so it can drain
naturally. That helps keep excess water out of sewer systems
and keeps runoff from collecting pollutants.
Promote rain gardens. The Rain Garden Network
(www.raingardennetwork.com) notes that "building a
rain garden in your own yard is probably the easiest and
most cost-efficient thing you can do to reduce your
contribution to stormwater pollution. By capturing
rainwater in a rain garden, holding it, and then slowly
releasing it into the soil the rush of a large storm can
be slowed and cleaned.
"Rain gardens also need less technical experience to
install and can be installed without permits or heavy
equipment. Rain gardens are one very good option that helps
to lower the impact of impervious surfaces and polluted
runoff because they are low-tech, inexpensive, sustainable
and esthetically beautiful."
Because these options decrease runoff and reduce the
capital improvements required, townships could reimburse
residents for costs involved (up to a certain amount).
Reimbursing 1,000 residents $200 each is cheaper than
installing and maintaining underground infrastructure.
Before we purchase miles of million-dollar piping, we
should consider more less expensive options.
Limit impervious coverage. Any physical barrier that
prevents water from being absorbed (a.k.a. impervious
coverage) causes runoff. Given our region's rapid
development and current flooding problems while
understanding that future stormwater will increase,
local elected officials and zoning hearing boards should
do more to control impervious coverage.
Similarly, zoning hearing boards should give runoff greater
weight when considering individual property owner's
requests to vary from the rules that protect the health and
welfare of all residents.
I urge local officials to act before we are hit with
increased stormwater, less agriculture/conservation land
absorbing the water and more impervious coverage
exacerbating the problem.
SANDY BALLARD writes from Hershey.
