Infiltrations and Runoff
Tips increase infiltration and decrease runoff of stormwater
- Rain gardens (a low depression supporting plants, which can withstand flooding. Rainwater is directed to these gardens to be held and slowly infiltrate into the ground).
- Rain barrels (a container that holds water from your roof downspout during a rain event. During dry weather, you can use this stored water to irrigate your plants/lawn, where it will infiltrate into the ground).
- Limit the amount of impenetrable surfaces in your landscape. Use permeable paving surfaces such as wood decks, bricks, and concrete lattice to let water soak into the ground.
- Allow thick vegetation or buffer strips to grow along waterways to slow runoff and soak up pollutants. Plant trees, shrubs, and ground cover. They will absorb up to 14 times more rainwater than a grass lawn and don't require fertilizer.
- Increasing the amount of surface area on your property that will allow water to sink in driveway swales (depressions planted with vegetation). Swales hold and direct rainwater while removing suspended solids.
- Gutters and down spouts should drain onto vegetated or gravel-filled seepage areas—not directly onto paved surfaces. Splash blocks also help reduce erosion.
- Divert runoff from pavement to grassy, planted or wooded areas of your property, so stormwater can seep slowly into the ground.
- Plant native vegetation (like prairie plants, trees and shrubs) in your yard instead of all grass. These deep-rooted plants allow more water to infiltrate into your lawn, decreasing flooding and runoff. Additionally, native plants are adapted to the area, which means they need less watering, little or no fertilizer and pesticides and provide wildlife habitat.