Companies have several responsibilities, but one of their most important ones is ensuring adequate stormwater management. Stormwater management is integral to maintaining the health of surrounding lakes and streams and protecting aquatic life. While some businesses may not understand the importance of this, bear in mind that the hydrological cycle and the wellbeing of marine life are central to maintaining a clean and free-flowing environment. With that being said, is it still necessary to hire stormwater management companies?
What is a stormwater management company, and what do they do?
Stormwater management companies are responsible for planning, design and implementing systems that mitigate and control the impacts of runoff and other components produced by the hydrologic cycle. This may involve installing and maintaining piping, pits and culverts used to direct and manage the stormwater.
Does every construction business need to employ a stormwater management company?
Every business requires the management of stormwater; however, whether they have to hire a company or leave it to the council to handle is dependent on the location of their drain.
If the drain is located on your commercial property (or residential, if you own a development), then it is your responsibility. However, if it is located outside of your property, it becomes the responsibility of the Sydney local councils.
Businesses that have drains on their commercial property should invest in a stormwater management company. This is to manage their stormwater runoff efficiently and prevent harm to the environment, aquatic life and premises.
4 reasons why your business should invest in a stormwater management company
Prevent soil and stream erosion
Though soil and stream erosion do not directly affect businesses, they will affect their communities. Stormwater management avoids soil erosion because it prevents stormwater (rainfall-runoff) from removing the rich and valuable top layer of soil that farmers depend on for planting crops. Without this layer, crop production can be severely affected, increasing the price of produce and decreasing farmers' incomes.
Stream erosion must be avoided because the management world redirects stormwater which can cause rivers and streams to break their banks. This will also affect farmers as well as flood neighbouring communities.
Avoid urban flooding
Urban flooding directly affects the safety of businesses. Most businesses in Sydney have developed on top of natural vegetation surfaces. Before these buildings were built, these natural surfaces allowed for stormwater to be absorbed and drained through their porous surface. However, as pavements and asphalts aren't as absorbent, stormwater sits on the surface and causes flooding when there is too much rain.
This can directly affect a business' property by ruining its contents, harming the property and preventing customers from entering. Stormwater management gives the water somewhere to go instead of building up on top of a non-absorbent surface.
Improve water quality
Without management, stormwater can absorb pesticides, grease, chemicals and other non-natural pollutants. This is carried into our natural waterways. This water now becomes dangerous and toxic. However, plants and animals are none the wiser and use it as their primary life source—eventually, this will poison and kill animals.
Helps the natural hydrologic cycle
The hydrologic cycle refers to the continuous circulation of water between the oceans, atmosphere and land. A decrease in infiltration on the earth's surface (due to urban development) reduces soil moisture replenishment and reduces groundwater recharge. Soil moisture is required to sustain vegetation, while loss of groundwater recharge can reduce the flow that continues between storms and sustains aquatic life. It can also affect businesses and humans by reducing the water available for both domestic and agricultural use.
Again, this indirectly affects businesses and only in severe cases will directly impact them. However, communities, wildlife and people's livelihoods will be lost. For both social and economic responsibility, businesses should implement stormwater management systems.
What happens if businesses do not invest in proper stormwater management?
It is clear that stormwater management is essential in maintaining balance for the environment. While that alone should be enough for businesses to take their stormwater management seriously, many neglect it. However, improper stormwater management can come with costly consequences. Here are a few effects of neglecting stormwater management:
● Urban flooding which destroys a property’s surrounding and/or its contents.
● Erosion of the foundation where a property is located.
● Poor water quality for the area that the commercial property is located.
Where can I find top-tier emerging stormwater management companies in Sydney?
There are several qualified and reliable stormwater management companies in Sydney. You may find companies that solely specialise in the area or ones that include it with their civil construction services.
If you’re located in Sydney, then you’re in luck as there are several stormwater management companies that you can hire for your business. Stormwater management companies work with your budget and your business needs to find the plants, designs and services that are perfect for your business.
