Spring has been slow this year to come to Chicago, where I live, but it seems like it’s finally here: This week’s weather report forecasts rain showers and thunderstorms almost every day, which is great news for plants and farmers, but can be costly in cities that rely on combined sewers or that do not have an up-to-date storm water management plan. Heavy showers can result in sewer overflows, flooding and runoff that can pollute reservoirs and other water bodies, and it is especially important for those of us in climates that receive a lot of springtime rain to modify our behavior beyond grabbing an umbrella when we go outside.
Pervious pavements, storage systems and rainwater harvesting equipment are some tools that help sustainably manage storm water during weather like this. Does your facility use these or other practices during storm season? Email me at swseditor@sgcmail.com and let me know your experiences and successes.
