A simple yet effective way for property owners to help manage stormwater is by disconnecting their downspouts.

Allowing stormwater to naturally soak into the soil keeps it from entering our combined sewer system and decreases the frequency of sewer overflow which dumps chemical pollution and raw sewage into our waterways.

In addition, homeowners also benefit as water that is diverted from the sewer system can be viewed as free water to use in watering the lawn or garden or washing the car.

As D.C Greenworks writes,

You might not think that much water would be available to a property owner even during a large storm, but one inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of rooftop creates over 600 gallons of stormwater. Also, the less likely the sewer system is to overflow, the less likely it is for basements to flood.

There are basically two options for the management of stormwater when the downspout is disconnected: storage or diversion. If diversion is your game it is best to divert it to where it will do the most good or infiltrate the soil most efficiently, such as your lawn. And of course, a rain barrel is a great way to storewater until you need it.

Photo credit: Envirolet