Disconnect roof leaders and storm drains from municipal sewer systems
Sewer hookups overload municipal treatment plants and prevent runoff from replenishing aquifers.
In urban areas, roof drains and stormwater drains are often connected directly to municipal sewers. Water is carried off the site and doesn't soak back into the soil. An alternative is to create drywells around the house filled with crushed stone or other aggregate and routing runoff there. Drywells reduce the load on municipal plants. In cases where storm drains go directly into local waterways, drywells contain contaminants, reducing their runoff from the site.
Green points
LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify.
-H: 2 points for installing permanent stormwater controls (SS 4).
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions.
/ICC-700 6 points for implementing a stormwater management plan (503.4).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
