The facility is sited over Town Branch Creek, which is seen running under the new building. Also pictured is one of the many stormwater controls.
“stepped” bioretention basin design, where water flows into two to four terraces before overflowing through the lower basins and ultimately running into the stream after it has been filtered. There may be times when site constraints include a limited footprint with which to work. In these instances, consider the interaction be- tween stormwater controls and structural requirements. In the VMI project, site constraints and topography had significant impact on both stormwater solutions and the structural engineering of the facility. For example, the design team had to get creative when calculating and de- signing grading of the entrances to the parking structure. If the grading was too steep, cars wouldn’t be able to access the parking. Alterna- tively, the grading had to be just right to meet stormwater specifications regulations. Creative solutions also can deliver cost savings. Consider creating a rainwater harvesting control where water is collected for use within the building. While the control helps filter water runoff, it also saves on utility bills by recycling the rainwater into the building’s cooling and grey water system.
Finally, creative stormwater controls often serve multiple purposes. For example, use permeable pavers in sidewalk areas to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface while helping to meet stormwater needs. These creative solutions add value to a project beyond controlling runoff. Not every project will require a dozen stormwater solutions. However, projects increasingly need to leverage multiple stormwater controls. Taking an integrated approach to stormwater management offers many benefits and delivers successful results. Prioritizing stormwater controls and collaborating early in the process can help better service clients and the overall community. CAROLYN HOWARD, P.E. , is vice president and regional manager for site develop- ment and infrastructure in the Blacksburg, Va., office of Draper Aden Associates (www.daa.com), an engineering, surveying, and environmental services firm that serves the Mid-Atlantic. She works closely with other engineers, private institutions and organizations, and public agencies on stormwater controls and best practices. She can be reached at choward@daa.com.
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csengineermag.com
june 2018
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