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Managing Stormwater in the City
Although cities afford untold opportunities to the human race, the development that goes with them tends to cause problems when it comes to runoff management.
What are Floodplains?
Floodplains vary in size and consist of the floodway -- the main channel of the river or stream -- and the flood fringe which extends from the outer banks of the floodway to the enclosing valley walls.
Stormwater Management in Urban Settings
Historically, stormwater strategies have included methods to collect, store and move runoff away from urban environments into nearby waterways to prevent flooding in the cities.
Low-Impact Development Stormwater Management Strategies
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the term low impact development refers to “systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes that re
Stormwater Use for Green Roofs / Vegetated Rooftops / Living Roof
A green roof, a low impact development (LID) strategy, is an alternate roof surface that is partially or completely covered with vegetation.
Stormwater Conservation Landscaping
One example of a LID strategy, termed conservation landscaping, preserves native species and provides wildlife habitat while also improving water quality.
Rain Gardens and Bioretention Areas
A rain garden, one example of a low-impact development strategy, is a planted shallow depression (the catchment area).
What are Disconnected Downspouts?
Downspout disconnection is a LID strategy that separates roof downspouts from their previous normal route – a piped system that enters the sanitary sewer system and/or discharges it onto impervious surfaces.
Water Harvesting Stormwater
Water harvesting, a LID strategy, is the collection and storage of rainwater.
Catch Basins for Stormwater
A catch basin, also known as a storm drain, is used to redirect water to prevent flooding.
Bioretention Basins and Retaining Ponds for Stormwater
Bioretention basins are another low-impact development strategy.
Stormwater or Rainwater Art
Stormwater management is not always pretty. In fact, many times, drainage ditches, culverts, and black pipes can be an eyesore.
Permeable Pavement for Stormwater and Rain
Permeable pavement, also referred to as porous concrete or pervious concrete, is a highly porous pavement that allows rainwater to pass through it and soak into the ground beneath it.
Impact Design Requirements of LID Stormwater Management
The main goal of low-impact design strategies is to distribute or scatter stormwater and urban runoff across developed sites.
Stormwater Management Feature Location Considerations
There are considerations that need to be made for a stormwater management plan, such as the best locations for your stormwater management features.
Utilizing Undisturbed Areas in Stormwater Management
The preservation of undisturbed natural areas, as well as using them as buffers, is a principle that can be utilized.
Other Types of Waste and Water Storage Pits for Hydraulic Fracturing
Processed water holding pits are far from the only ponds, and similar structures, on the hydraulic fracturing site.
Renovating Existing Produced Water Pits with New Liners
If you have old, existing, produced water pits, you may wonder how much work and investment it would take to get them running again.
Discharge vs Reuse for Produced Water
While all produced water requires some amount of storage, there’s a big difference in how the pits are designed if you plan to simply discharge the water rather than reusing it.
What Damages Produced Water Pit Liners?
All pit liners break down eventually, but some geomembranes are more durable than others.
Risks from Produced Water Liner Leaks
Without a thorough understanding of the risks of produced water, it’s hard to motivate managers and maintenance teams to keep pits and ponds secure and well-kept.
The Challenges of Lining Produced Water Pits
Produced water pits have a tough job; holding back thousands to millions of gallons of wastewater. Considering that most mixtures also include abrasives sands and sludges that wear away at the liner over time, it’s a wonder that there aren’t more leaks and losses.
The Sources of Produced Water
Produced water can technically come from many sources, since the term is widely used for various types of industrial waste water.
Which Liners Work Best for Containing Produced Water?
All pits and ponds used for storing produced water, even temporarily, should be lined.