Stormwater Runoff Define Problems Solutions Best Management Practices (BMP) Prevent Runoff Vegetative Cover -Alternative Groundcovers Reduce Pollutants -Fertilizer -Pesticides

Reduce Stormwater Runoff

Author: Rebecca McNair Edited by: Allison Steele

Hydrologic Cycle

  Water on earth is constantly recycled Components of water cycle:  Soil Infiltration     Evaporation Transpiration- the process by which plants release water into the atmosphere Surface and channel storage Groundwater storage

The soil matrix filters and somewhat detoxifies impurities from water as it travels through the ground.

Urbanization

Intensity of land use Amount of impervious surfaces Water quality degradation

Stormwater Runoff Rainwater that flows off yards, roads and parking lots, carrying pollutants into our waterways.

Nonpoint source pollution

Sources of pollution that can not be pinpointed to any single cause. Usually associated with trash, car oil, chemical lawn products, and other residues that are easily carried away by flowing water.

According to the EPA, polluted runoff is the #1 water quality issue in Florida Nutrients Toxins Sediments Thermal Stress Debris Pathogens

Photo courtesy of NEMO

Stormwater Contaminants

Metals zinc, cadmium, copper, chromium, arsenic, lead Organic chemicals pesticides, oil, gasoline, grease Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) Sediment Salts Nutrients grass clippings, fallen leaves, human and animal waste sand, silt, and other particles sodium chloride, calcium chloride nitrogen, phosphorus

The Problem



Increased volume of surface runoff



Increased velocity of surface runoff



Concentration of pollutants in runoff



Elevated nutrients can cause :

    Polluted drinking water Excessive aquatic plant growth Lower dissolved oxygen levels Fish Kills

 

The Solution

Use practices or methods to prevent, reduce, retard, or remove stormwater runoff contaminants before reaching receiving waters Best Management Practices (BMP) are a series of direct recommendations based upon research, evaluation and educated assumptions

Be Florida-Friendly

Regardless of the type of property you own, you can help preserve Florida’s natural resources by:

1) 2) 3) Preventing Runoff Increasing Vegetative Cover Reducing Pollutants

Prevent Runoff

Keep rain and irrigation water on your property and out of storm drains.

Factors Affecting Stormwater Runoff:

     

Rainfall intensity, flow rate, season % Impervious surfaces Watershed size, slope Soil type, soil compaction Type of vegetation Density of vegetation



Within our control



Not within our control

Minimize runoff by using pervious surfaces…

for walkways, patios, and driveways

Direct downspouts and gutters towards porous areas

If downspouts drain to planted areas, be sure to select plants adapted to periodic flooding.

Collect Rain Water

 Use a rain barrel or a cistern to collect and store runoff for irrigation purposes

   

Plan irrigation schedules according to the weather

Water during early morning hours  Plants are already wet  Less evaporation losses Water less frequently in cooler months Water “as needed,” not routinely Do not irrigate if rain is expected

Earth Shaping

If your property is sloped, you may want to make minor grade changes to divert runoff. This can be accomplished by:

 Utilizing terraces

Terracing can be an attractive design element in your yard.



Berms and Swales

Creating swales (low areas) and berms (raised earthen areas) will help to catch, hold, and filter stormwater  Elevations and depressions as small as 3-6 inches can make a huge difference

  

Vegetative Cover

Planting groundcovers on slopes is an excellent way to:

Catch and filter stormwater Slow the velocity of water movement Reduce erosion

Turfgrass is a versatile groundcover that is very effective at filtering nutrients.

Covering the ground with a carpet of vegetation has other advantages:

    Attractive Insulates the soil Acts as a living mulch that helps to build up humus levels in the soil

Blanketflower

Gaillardia pulchella

Provides habitat and cover for beneficial insects and other predators

Disadvantages

  If the ground cover is too vigorous, it may require containment It can compete with other plants for water and nutrients ‘Margarita'

The following factors should also be taken into account, when choosing the right plant for the right place…

Select plants based on site conditions:

       Acid  Dry  alkaline- (test your soil’s pH) moist Full sun  Heat  shade cold Salt Space Obstructions

Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus ‘Diva’

Alternative Groundcovers For Shade

Lilyturf

Liriope muscari

(USDA Zone 6-11) Periwinkle

Vinca major

(USDA Zone 8-11) Cast Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior

(USDA Zone 8-11)

Alternative Groundcovers

Beach Sunflower

Helianthus debilis

(USDA Zone 8B-11) Clover

Trifolium repens

(USDA Zone 5-11) Perennial Peanut

Arachis glabrata

(USDA Zone 8-11)

Alternative Groundcovers For Sun

Asiatic Jasmine (USDA Zone 8-11)

Trachelospermum asiaticum

Junipers (USDA Zone 8-11)

Juniperus spp.

Tree Canopy



Incorporate trees in the landscape

 Intercept rainfall  Reduce soil compaction thus improving water infiltration into soil  Increase the value of property  Energy efficient way to cool the home

Reduce Pollutants

    

Because water can wash off our yards, it is important to reduce the amount of pollutants on our property.

Sweep grass and soil back onto lawns Sweep up any fertilizer on impervious surfaces Remove trash Clean up oil spills and leaks with cat litter Pick up after pets

It is unrealistic, and even unwise to strive for an insect, disease, and weed-free yard. Instead:

   Learn to identify key pests associated with the plants in your yard Check plants regularly for signs of pest problems Determine what amount of damage warrants action

  

Manage Yard Pests Responsibly

Avoid routine applications of pesticides Choose the least harmful method of control Treat only affected area rather than spraying the entire yard

 

Fertilize Appropriately

If applied improperly, excess fertilizers can run off our yards into waterways or leach into groundwater.

Follow printed instructions carefully!

Do not apply fertilizer or pesticides before a heavy rainstorm

Further Reading

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

    SL 143: How Contaminants Reach Groundwater PI 2: Factors Influencing Pesticide Movement to Groundwater FRE 76 Laws Governing Use and Impact of Agricultural Chemicals: Agricultural Chemicals and Water Pollution ENY 294: The Smart Way to Avoid Landscape Pests and Other Problems

Thanks for your attention!

The following presentation was made possible through a grant from FL DEP and EPA. Special thanks to the following reviewers for their valued contributions:

FL114 ELM Design Team and the FYN Subcommittee Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF Agriculture Education and Communication Department Environmental Horticulture Department Entomology and Nematology Department Soil and Water Sciences Department Florida Cooperative Extension Service in: Alachua, Broward, Clay, Hillsborough, Lake, Miami-Dade, Orange, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Volusia Counties Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence The Center For Wetlands, UF United States Department of Agriculture FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences: Division of Plant Industry