Marigny Green News

Be Part of The Solution, Help Reduce Stormwater Impact

A very long time ago, the New Orleans area had cypress and hardwood forest protecting the wetlands, bayous and lakes.  Over many centuries, people altered these areas into an urban landscape of roads, parking lots and buildings. This caused the land to subside, draining water out of  the soil and diminished the cypress and hardwood forest that once helped protect New Orleans.  Now, even in normal rain there is a threat of flooding.

Storm water runoff carries pollutants into local waterways such as rivers, lakes and streams eventually making its way into the oceans. 

Storm water runoff can cause erosion by displacing the soil.            

Storm water runoff can cause localized flooding when storm drains take on too much water at once.  

As New Orleanians we are hyper sensitive to rising water. However, every resident of New Orleans can help make a difference in the volume of water that rain drops onto one’s property.  Just like it sounds, storm water is any precipitation that falls from the sky to include rain, hail and snow. In a natural landscape, storm water is absorbed into the ground or bodies of water. It gives plants and animals water. An urban landscape is different because storm water falls onto a surface that does not absorb water resulting in runoff. 

How can residents’ work with Nature rather than against it?  There are several simple steps you can do to help the efficiency of our drainage system, reduce damage to your property and benefit the environment. 

Simple Steps:

1.  Know where the water enters and leaves your property.

2.  Examine the roof – how is rainwater collected and removed from the roof.  

3.  Gutters are very important and need to be cleaned from falling leaves and debris.

4.  If you have an  area around your perimeter of your house, build a simple gravel bed to create an infiltration zone.  This allows water to collect and diffuse gently into the soil.  Make sure the gravel beds are wide enough to keep plants away from your home.  

5.  The yard is a great place to control and filter stormwater that helps reduce the demand on public drainage.  A rain garden with native plants can briefly hold the water, cleaning it from pollutants and allow the water to drain slowly into the public system.  It is wise not to use herbicides and pesticides.

6.  Mature trees are another way to add water capacity (can capture hundred gallons of water daily). Trees are also good for shade that can help reduce summer utility bills and add beauty to your property.  Do consider trees that are appropriate for the area.

7.  If you are redoing your sidewalk, patio and driveway, consider using porous materials that allow water to nourish the soil and reduce runoff.  An incentive program of the urban conservancy response to excessive yard paving is available.  For information on this front yard initiative program go to http.//www.urbanconservancy.org/project/fyi/   

8. Planter boxes filled with plants can absorb large amounts of water.  It is suggested to place the planter boxes directly below the edge of the roof to catch runoff. 

9.  Rain barrels temporarily store water runoff from the roof that can prevent water collecting on your property or in the street.  The non-potable water from the rain barrel is good for the garden.

Reference and more information -  LSU AgCenter: http://Isuagcenter.com  

                       IT IS IMPORTANT

Always keep the Catch-Basin on your street clean!