Fortune Environmental

Subsurface Stormwater Retention/Detention
Management Systems

What is storm water runoff?

Storm water runoff is water from rain or melting snow that “runs off” across the land instead of seeping into the ground. This runoff usually flows into the nearest stream, creek, river, lake or ocean. The runoff is not treated in any way.

What is polluted runoff?

Water from rain and melting snow either seeps into the ground or “runs off” to lower areas, making its way into streams, lakes and other water bodies. On its way, runoff water can pick up and carry many substances that pollute water.

Polluted runoff generally happens anywhere people use or alter the land. For example, in developed areas, none of the water that falls on hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, parking lots or roads can seep into the ground. These impervious surfaces create large amounts of runoff that picks up pollutants. The runoff flows from gutters and storm drains to streams. Runoff not only pollutes but erodes streambanks. The mix of pollution and eroded dirt muddies the water and causes problems downstream.

How can we help?

As site owner or developer, you might be wondering how the stormwater regulations impact your property. Most of all you want to know how they can affect your bottom line.

We understand and that’s why we place a high emphasis on providing products that are efficient, cost effective and easy to maintain. Most importantly, we make it easy for you to comply with regulations and do your part to keep the lakes, rivers and oceans cleaner and safer for the people who live in your community.

There are several factors crucial to making a smart choice when it comes to stormwater management. These will not only save you money in the long run, but can actually generate significant benefits, including low impact development.

The best place to start is with regulations. Virtually all new developments exceeding one acre must now comply with stormwater requirements, for quality, quanitity, or both. To avoid fines, it’s important to work with your consulting engineer to select a stormwater treatment option that best balances the water quality requirements with your budget.

Look for a system that’s easy to maintain on an annual basis. System installation should also be discussed. Some manufactured BMPs are complicated and challenging to install, increasing the risk for problems down the road.

StormChamber™

StormChamber™ is an open bottom, arch-shaped, HDPE infiltration chamber which functions in both permeable and non-permeable soils for subsurface retention, detention, recharge and reuse of storm water. It provides a higher level of nutrient and pollutant removal by taking advantage of the natural biological and physical properties of the soil, similar to a septic drain field. StormChamberTM systems mimic pre-development conditions by putting post-construction run off back into the ground approximately where and how it used to go, maintaining base flow to streams, wetlands, lakes, ponds and countering salt-water intrusion in coastal areas. The SedimenTrapTM component of the StormChamberTM system eliminates the need for pre-treatment devices and provides a higher level of sediment and debris removal and retention at a fraction of the cost. StormChamberTM is also surprisingly strong, exceeding the AASHTO H-20 wheel load rating by three times.

Major benefits

• Helps counter drought conditions by maintaining groundwater base flow to streams
• Replenishes groundwater supplies
• Achieves higher pollutant removal rates through soil filtration and accelerated microbial actions
• Achieves Low Impact Development, LEED and Zero Discharge goals
• Provides a lower cost and longer effective life alternative to perforated pipe
• Provides a lower cost alternative to drainage pipe for conveyance, with added benefits of groundwater recharge and water quality enhancement