Slow it, Spread it, Sink it - By Alan Berstein, AIA, ASLA, LEED AP
Low Impact Development (LID) is a relatively new approach to managing storm water and urban runoff while mitigating the negative impacts of development and urbanization. It is a source control concept that utilizes distributed, small, cost-effective natural systems in lieu of conventional end-of-the-line treatment facilities. LID is widely recognized as a sensible approach to managing both the quantity and quality of storm water runoff. In contrast to traditional methods of managing storm water such as concrete gutter and storm drains, LID methods seek to maintain or restore the natural hydrologic character of the site.
The City of Los Angeles is in the process of developing a citywide ordinance and accompanying LID manual to provide guidance for LID standards.
Each community meeting will provide:
Slow It – Increase runoff travel time on landscape for maximum infiltration.
Spread It – Reduce runoff volumes that make it to the storm drain/gutter by spreading storm water across gravel, or permeable pavement.
Sink It – Increase detention and retention of water on your property-store it in tanks to use later or sink it into the ground.
Did you know?
According to the California Energy Commission, 19% of all the electricity consumed in California is used to pump and treat water. Saving water means saving power and ultimately, reducing green house gas emissions.
Why we care about storm water
The City of Los Angeles has two water drainage systems; sewers and storm drains. Whereas water in the sewer systems undergo essential filtering, water in storm drains does not. Untreated water flows into our rivers and oceans, carrying with it debris, litter and other pollutants from our streets. Join the community effort to help reduce storm water pollution.
Rainwater hits the pavement and is directed towards the city storm drains. The rainwater collects garbage and pollutants on its way. The storm drains lead to the Los Angeles River and empties into the ocean. Thus adding to “Dead Zones” and the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (more to follow in that matter next month).
Green Roof
A green roof slows down storm water. The water is absorbed into the soil and the plant roots. Green roofs filter out pollutants from the rainwater, cool cities, provide a wildlife habitat, and act as an insulator (internal heating, cooling, and sound for your home or business). Your heating and air conditioning bills will decrease.
Native plants require little or no water and increase natural diversity. Shade trees along parking lots reduce urban heat.
Rainwater Catchment Divert water from the roof via downspouts and into storage containers. The water collected can be stored for later uses such as irrigation. Be mindful of where the water flows across your lot. Place tank carefully so that when the water overflows, it flows to nearby landscaped areas or swales. Using rainwater saves you $$.
Water flows downhill – place tank carefully to allow for overflow and for gravity-fed irrigation.
How much water runs off my roof during one inch of rain? 1000 square foot roof can collect 640 gallons with just one inch of rain or equivalent to
40 gallons of water = one bath
16 bathtubs of water is enough to:
1. Flush 400 toilets
2. Irrigate 1/4 acres of lawn
3. Run 32 large loads of laundry
During an average year, Los Angeles gets 14 inches of rainfall.
Landscaped Swale Slow down and spread out runoff using swales on the perimeter of parking lots. Swales allow for infiltration of the rainwater into the soil. They can be vegetated or covered with a permeable pavement. Swales make parking lot look inviting to customers.
Get Started Each lot is a watershed. Examine where the water enter and leaves the site.
Start at the top and work your way down. Low impact strategies use small collection areas located at the point where runoff first meets the ground.
Think small. Small-scale techniques can have a big impact, both improving storm water quality and reducing peak flows.
Keep it simple. Using natural methods and materials is often the cheapest solution with low maintenance requirements.
For further information you can visit www.lastormwater@lacity.org
Alan Bernstein is a licensed Architect, licensed Landscape Architect, U.S. Green Building Accredited Professional (LEED, AP) and Certified Green Building Advisor. For questions or comments contact Alan Bernstein at (818-707-9215) or email at [email protected]
www.abarchitects.com
www.mikepearsonconstruction.bravejournal.com
www.concretecontractorlosangeles.wordpress.com
www.mikepearsonconstruction.com
The City of Los Angeles is in the process of developing a citywide ordinance and accompanying LID manual to provide guidance for LID standards.
Each community meeting will provide:
- Background on low impact development, as it relates to storm water runoff
- A presentation of the draft proposed LID ordinance
- Regional benefits derived from the adoption of this proposed ordinance
- Anticipated time line for adoption of the proposed LID ordinance
Slow It – Increase runoff travel time on landscape for maximum infiltration.
Spread It – Reduce runoff volumes that make it to the storm drain/gutter by spreading storm water across gravel, or permeable pavement.
Sink It – Increase detention and retention of water on your property-store it in tanks to use later or sink it into the ground.
Did you know?
According to the California Energy Commission, 19% of all the electricity consumed in California is used to pump and treat water. Saving water means saving power and ultimately, reducing green house gas emissions.
Why we care about storm water
The City of Los Angeles has two water drainage systems; sewers and storm drains. Whereas water in the sewer systems undergo essential filtering, water in storm drains does not. Untreated water flows into our rivers and oceans, carrying with it debris, litter and other pollutants from our streets. Join the community effort to help reduce storm water pollution.
Rainwater hits the pavement and is directed towards the city storm drains. The rainwater collects garbage and pollutants on its way. The storm drains lead to the Los Angeles River and empties into the ocean. Thus adding to “Dead Zones” and the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” (more to follow in that matter next month).
Green Roof
A green roof slows down storm water. The water is absorbed into the soil and the plant roots. Green roofs filter out pollutants from the rainwater, cool cities, provide a wildlife habitat, and act as an insulator (internal heating, cooling, and sound for your home or business). Your heating and air conditioning bills will decrease.
Native plants require little or no water and increase natural diversity. Shade trees along parking lots reduce urban heat.
Rainwater Catchment Divert water from the roof via downspouts and into storage containers. The water collected can be stored for later uses such as irrigation. Be mindful of where the water flows across your lot. Place tank carefully so that when the water overflows, it flows to nearby landscaped areas or swales. Using rainwater saves you $$.
Water flows downhill – place tank carefully to allow for overflow and for gravity-fed irrigation.
How much water runs off my roof during one inch of rain? 1000 square foot roof can collect 640 gallons with just one inch of rain or equivalent to
40 gallons of water = one bath
16 bathtubs of water is enough to:
1. Flush 400 toilets
2. Irrigate 1/4 acres of lawn
3. Run 32 large loads of laundry
During an average year, Los Angeles gets 14 inches of rainfall.
Landscaped Swale Slow down and spread out runoff using swales on the perimeter of parking lots. Swales allow for infiltration of the rainwater into the soil. They can be vegetated or covered with a permeable pavement. Swales make parking lot look inviting to customers.
Get Started Each lot is a watershed. Examine where the water enter and leaves the site.
Start at the top and work your way down. Low impact strategies use small collection areas located at the point where runoff first meets the ground.
Think small. Small-scale techniques can have a big impact, both improving storm water quality and reducing peak flows.
Keep it simple. Using natural methods and materials is often the cheapest solution with low maintenance requirements.
For further information you can visit www.lastormwater@lacity.org
Alan Bernstein is a licensed Architect, licensed Landscape Architect, U.S. Green Building Accredited Professional (LEED, AP) and Certified Green Building Advisor. For questions or comments contact Alan Bernstein at (818-707-9215) or email at [email protected]
www.abarchitects.com
www.mikepearsonconstruction.bravejournal.com
www.concretecontractorlosangeles.wordpress.com
www.mikepearsonconstruction.com
