If you've watched the news lately you've probably been hearing the words stormwater, flooding, 500-year flood, and storm surge quite a bit. That's because the U.S. has indeed been experiencing more flooding than usual, partially as a result of development. The past 20 years have brought with them an immense amount of growth for cities all across the U.S., and in turn we're seeing many pervious areas, or green spaces, being covered with impervious infrastructure, which includes concrete slabs, asphalt roadways, and other structures. Although growth among cities is a sign of a strong economy, it's critical that we remain good stewards of our environment.

What Does This Mean to Me?

Simply put, this means the volume of water that used to be absorbed into the ground naturally can no longer do so. This is a direct result of green areas being covered with hard surfaces, and consequently we're experiencing unusual flooding. Physics tells us that excess water travels downhill. Although many low-lying areas--homes, commercial spaces, parking lots, and roadways--previously experienced minor flooding, they are now being threatened with more substantial floods than in earlier years.

Mitigating the Impacts

In many communities, stormwater ponds are being developed to compensate for the increase in water volume. I often get asked why so many ponds are being built - it's simply to catch the water before it floods an impervious area, such as a neighborhood. There are many other stormwater systems, two of the most common include ditches and pipes, which channel water to an allocated area.

While some regions have strict water treatment regulations, others do not. Many communities across the country have been proactive in implementing design criteria to help ease the impacts of flooding, including the use of master stormwater facilities to reduce the number of small ponds. Other areas are seeing an increase in the use of green engineering by way of gardens, bioswales, nutrient boxes, and permeable surfaces, which include porous pavements and pavers. Property owners can do a number of things to help reduce additional flooding issues. Here are a few tips:

• Avoid unnecessary development and utilize permeable material when development is unavoidable. This includes researching what's best for the environment in a given area.
• If they're available, check flood maps in your area to determine whether or not your property is in a flood zone.
• Look into the resources available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Map Service Center.

Prior to building, consult with your local regulatory agency or a professional engineer to find out what the potential impacts may be. This can save you money in the long run as well as potentially save you and your neighbors from flood-related damage. While we cannot predict Mother Nature, we can do our best to mitigate her impacts.