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[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”” color=”white” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Click here to read more about the Effects of Stormwater” btn_style=”classic” btn_color=”info” btn_align=”center” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftinkerscreek.org%2Finformation%2Feffects-of-stormwater%2F||target:%20_blank|”]Stormwater is any runoff from precipitation like rain, snow, ice and sleet that collects on the landscapes and enters our streams and other water bodies.  As stormwater flows across the landscape, it picks up many pollutants, including oil, grease, nutrients, sediment, and more that collect on the ground.  While most stormwater then enters the storm sewer system, it still flows directly into our water bodies without being treated.  This means that all of these potentially toxic pollutants collected as the stormwater moves are also entering our water bodies.  These toxins can degrade water quality and adversely affect the organisms living in our water bodies.  Some pollutants, like bacteria, excess nutrients, and fecal coliform, can even cause health risks to the surrounding community.[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 

Commercial properties generally receive high volumes of traffic, resulting in more residual oil from vehicles left on parking lots.  In some cases, high volumes of customer traffic may also mean more waste and debris on commercial properties as well.  With more development comes more impervious surfaces that generate even more stormwater, and often this stormwater will collect higher concentrations of pollutants as a result of urbanization.  Impervious surfaces prevent water from infiltrating into the soil and groundwater table.  When water infiltrates into the soil, many of these harmful pollutants are also filtered out, whereas when impervious surfaces direct stormwater into the storm sewer system, these pollutants are emptied into our water bodies.  Commercial properties generally see more of these problems than residential properties due to higher amounts of impervious surfaces and greater vehicular traffic.

Identifying stormwater concerns on your commercial property is easy.  For example, assessing the amount of impervious surface on your property can allow you to determine how great of an effect your property has on stormwater quality.  Can you reduce the amount of impervious surface by replacing it with permeable pavement or other green infrastructure solutions?  Does the impervious surface on your property disproportionately degrade stormwater quality?  Any ponding or flooding on your property may also represent a stormwater issue.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Green Infrastructure” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Click here to view our Economic Incentives for Green Infrastructure Fact Sheet” btn_color=”info” btn_align=”center” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftinkerscreek.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F09%2FGreen-Infrastructure-BMP-Fact-Sheet.pdf|||”]Green infrastructure is an approach to stormwater management that protects, restores, or mimics the natural water cycle.  These practices can manage stormwater quantity issues to help prevent flooding, and green infrastructure also effectively improves stormwater quality, thereby protecting our water bodies from pollution.  These practices include tree plantings, rain gardens, rain barrels and water harvesting, permeable pavements, green roofs, and bioretention.  Green infrastructure can be an economically efficient way to meet conditions of stormwater permits and be a water-wise citizen.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”Stormwater Retrofits” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Click here to view our Stormwater Retrofits Fact Sheet” btn_color=”info” btn_align=”center” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftinkerscreek.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F09%2FStormwater-Retrofit-fact-sheet.pdf|||”]Stormwater retrofits are practices implemented to treat both water quantity and quality at sites that are already developed.  Retrofitting presents unique placement challenges, so we have developed a fact sheet that will guide you through proper selection of stormwater retrofits for your commercial property.  These practices can help fix previous design mistakes, flooding issues, and even aesthetic issues.  If you require assistance choosing or planning a retrofit, please contact us![/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]