Rainwater that runs off your property has the potential to cause damage to the environment, such as by eroding stream banks or causing flooding during heavy rainstorms. Fortunately, you can prevent this by using stormwater pits on your property to collect and reuse rainwater.
These pits also have plenty of other benefits, such as preventing mosquitoes from breeding in still water and improving local groundwater quality with more oxygen in the water. Here are 10 of the most important benefits of having stormwater pits on your property.
Table of Contents
- 1. Helps Save Water
- 2. Improves Drainage
- 3. Absorbs Runoff
- 4. Maintains Water Table Levels
- 5. Protect Roads, Driveways, and Other Property
- 6. Provides Wildlife Habitat
- 7. Diverts Heavy Rainfall
- 8. Attract Native Plants & Wildlife to Your Landscape
- 9. Stormwater Pits are Efficient to Install & Maintain
- 10. What Are The Most Common Pit Materials?
- Final Thought
1. Helps Save Water
Stormwater pits help reduce runoff from rainfall and snowmelt. By channeling water into a pit, you can help reduce the amount of water that flows across your property and into local waterways. It also helps recharge groundwater aquifers. When rainwater seeps into the ground, it slowly percolates down to aquifers, which are underground layers of water-bearing rock or soil.
Stormwater pits help reduce flooding. By storing water on your property, you can help reduce the amount of runoff that enters local waterways and causes flooding downstream. Furthermore, it helps improve water quality. By capturing sediment and other pollutants before they enter local waterways, you can help improve the quality of the water in those systems.
2. Improves Drainage
Most homes are built with some type of drainage system to manage stormwater runoff, but these systems are often not enough. Stormwater pits provide an extra layer of protection against flooding and water damage by collecting and storing excess water. They can also help improve the overall drainage of your property by redirecting water flow away from problem areas.
3. Absorbs Runoff
Excess water can quickly turn a small problem into a big one. When it rains, the water has nowhere to go but over the sides of your home and into your foundation. This can cause leaks, flooding, and other serious damage. But if you have a stormwater pit on your property, the water will be absorbed before it has a chance to cause any problems. The water then flows back into the ground where it is natural for it to be.
4. Maintains Water Table Levels
During and after heavy rain, they maintain water table levels by allowing rainwater to seep into the ground instead of running off. As a result, they reduce erosion by trapping sediment and runoff.
They improve water quality by removing pollutants before they enter the waterways. During dry seasons, they can serve as habitats for aquatic plants and animals or be used to irrigate gardens or lawns. They are aesthetically pleasing with many different styles and shapes to choose from in order to suit any property.
Insect populations thrive when stagnant water is present; they become more prevalent when rainfall occurs during hot weather periods when mosquitos grow rapidly and there is less activity taking place outdoors. By reducing surface water levels with a pit, this is prevented!
5. Protect Roads, Driveways, and Other Property
When it rains or the snow melts, the water has nowhere to go but onto your property. And as that water flows, it can damage your roads, driveways, and sidewalks. Stormwater pits give that water a place to go so it can be slowly absorbed back into the ground, preventing damage to your property. They also prevent flooding during heavy storms by keeping rain from running off at one location.
If you have a septic system, stormwater pits can also help improve drainage which may reduce the need for pumping costs. You might not think about this now but when you’re out planting new plants in your yard and they all get destroyed because there’s standing water because of flooding, then you’ll wish you had installed these little gems years ago.
6. Provides Wildlife Habitat
Stormwater pits can provide much-needed habitat for a variety of urban wildlife including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. In addition to providing shelter from the elements, stormwater pits can also offer a source of food and water for these animals. By installing stormwater pits on your property, you can help to make your city a more wildlife-friendly place.
7. Diverts Heavy Rainfall
One major benefit of having a stormwater pit is that it can help to divert heavy rainfall away from your home. This is especially important during periods of intense rainfall when flash flooding is more likely to occur. By diverting the water away from your home, you can help to reduce the risk of flood damage.
It also means less runoff in streets and gutters which helps to maintain cleanliness in public areas and significantly reduces the risk of sinkholes forming near sidewalks and driveways. Stormwater pits are designed specifically for water runoff, so they filter out any sediment or debris before the rainwater enters lakes or streams. So by installing a storm-water pit on your property, you can help keep waterways cleaner which will also mean better fishing opportunities downstream.
8. Attract Native Plants & Wildlife to Your Landscape
Native plants have adapted to the local climate and soil and so require less water and maintenance than non-native plants. Native plants also provide food and shelter for local wildlife. Stormwater pits are used to prevent flooding and to recharge groundwater aquifers by collecting water when it rains.
9. Stormwater Pits are Efficient to Install & Maintain
In many cases, a home’s existing gutters and downspouts are adequate to manage the water runoff from light rain. However, during a severe storm, these systems can quickly become overwhelmed. That’s where a stormwater pit comes in. A properly installed and maintained stormwater pit can help protect your home from flooding by managing the excess water runoff from heavy rain.
10. What Are The Most Common Pit Materials?
The most common type of pit is the precast concrete pit. They are available in a range of sizes to suit various applications and can be customized with grates, lids, and other accessories. Other popular materials include fiberglass, polyethylene, and galvanized steel. Each has its own set of pros and cons that should be considered before making a purchase.
Final Thought
A stormwater pit is a great way to manage water runoff, prevent flooding, and protect your home or business from water damage. They are also relatively easy to install and maintain and can be a great addition to your landscape, these stormwater pits can also help you save money on your water bill, and they are environmentally friendly.