You can slow the flow of stormwater runoff on your property and prevent pollution and damage to local water bodies by installing stormwater best management practices (BMPs). Learn more about the BMPs commonly installed through our programs below:
Rain Gardens
What are they?
- Shallow depressions that capture stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces, allowing it to collect, pool, and slowly infiltrate back into the ground and recharge the water table.
- Designed to treat runoff from small impervious areas, such as individual rooftops, driveways, or patios.
- Planted with a mix of plants native to the Chesapeake Bay region.
- Native plant species not only manage stormwater better than non-native plants or invasive species (due to their deep root systems and their soil stabilizing abilities), they also benefit local pollinators!
What do they do?
- Protect local streams by slowing the flow of stormwater runoff and recharging groundwater.
- Help prevent soil erosion and resulting sediment from entering water bodies.
- Combat climate change by improving soil health and sequestering carbon in the soil.
- Support pollinators through the use of native plants.
Where are they suitable?
- Relatively flat areas
- At least 10 feet away from building foundations
- Away from tree canopy and tree roots
Permeable Pavers
What are they?
- Typically consists of a porous surface, course and open graded stone base/subbase, or sand drainage system
How do they work?
- Stormwater drains through the paver joints, is captured in the drainage system, and infiltrates into the surrounding soils.
Where are they suitable?
- Relatively flat areas
- At least 10' from building foundations
- Areas with sandy or silty soils
Conservation Landscaping
What is it?
- Areas where managed turf is removed, soil is decompacted and perennial plantings are installed featuring species native to the Chesapeake Bay region.
What does it do?
- Slow the flow of runoff and recharges groundwater.
- Stabilizes soil and helps prevent erosion.
- Sequesters carbon in the soil
Where is it suitable?
- Flat and sloped areas
- At least 5 feet from building foundations
- Areas with more tree canopy
Rainwater Harvesting
What is it?
- The capture and reuse of rainwater in a barrel or cistern.
- Stored water can be used for outdoor landscaping irrigation.
What does it do?
- Promotes conservation of resources.
- Reduces stormwater runoff volumes and discharge of pollutants downstream.
Where are they suitable?
- Areas with minimum yard space
- Connected to another BMP, like rain gardens or conservation landscaping
- Areas with more tree canopy or underground utilities
Tree Canopy Expansion
What is it?
-
Tree plantings that intercept impervious runoff using native tree species.
What are the benefits?
- Provides erosion control
- Low maintenance
- Wildlife value
Where is it suitable?
- Areas with a lot of turf grass
- Areas where water accumulates
Dry Wells
What are they?
- An excavated pit or structural chamber filled with gravel or stone that provides temporary storage of stormwater runoff from rooftops.
- May be constructed as a shallow trench or a deep well.
What do they do?
- Rooftop runoff is directed to these storage areas and infiltrates into the surrounding soils prior to the next storm event.
- Where are they suitable?
- Areas with minimum yard space
- Small drainage areas
- Areas with permeable soils
Impervious Surface Removal
What is it?
- Removal of impervious surfaces such as patios, walkways, driveways.
- Roto-tilling of the underlying soils to relieve compaction; returned to a vegetated state or permeable pavers
What does it do?
- Increases area where stormwater can infiltrate into surrounding soils
- Helps prevent erosion
When is it suitable?
- When getting rid of excess impervious
- When replacing damaged hardscapes.
Simple Ways to Reduce Runoff: You can do it—it’s easy! Watch this video to learn more.
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