Rhode Island.docx

1- Edgewood Lake 

Benefit: Visitor and activities.

What used it for: Recreational.

2- Rainwater Garden

Benefit: By trapping stormwater and allowing it to seep naturally into the ground, rain gardens minimize runoff, remove pollutants, reduce flooding, and help recharge groundwater supplies.

What used it for: A rain garden is a landscaped, shallow depression in your lawn designed to collect stormwater from your roof, driveway, or other impervious surface before it reaches the nearest storm drain or waterbody.

3- Green Roofs

Benefit: Green roofs can improve air quality, reduce noise and even extend the life of a roof by moderating roof temperatures that cause roof structures to expand and contract. A green roof system is not only pleasing to the eye and good for the environment, it is also frequently the most practical choice for many applications.

What used it for: Green roofs have a layer of plant material that absorbs water like a sponge. They capture water when it rains, slowly releasing it through evaporation and plant use. Green roofs can significantly reduce the amount of rain water that would otherwise run off an impervious roof surface. Green roofs can also help reduce building energy usage and noise levels while increasing the durability and lifespan of the roof compared to conventional roofs.

4- Wetland

Benefit: Freshwater wetlands perform functions and provide values that are vital to people and the environment. Wetlands reduce flood and storm damages by temporarily holding rainwater and surface water, thereby protecting property and structures. They protect and improve water quality; they provide important fish and wildlife habitat contributing to Rhode Island’s biodiversity; and they support hunting, fishing, bird-watching, and other recreational activities that contribute revenue to Rhode Island's economy. All of these functions and services contribute to a healthy and stable environment and economy.

What used it for: Freshwater wetlands are areas that are flooded or that have water at or near the surface for part of most growing seasons. They commonly occur between uplands and water bodies; however, many freshwater wetlands stand alone and are surrounded by upland. Freshwater wetlands are widespread throughout Rhode Island. Swamps, marshes, bogs, ponds, rivers, and streams are considered wetlands in Rhode Island as are other smaller areas and certain adjacent areas known as perimeter wetlands, riverbank wetlands, and floodplain. People often ask about lakes. Rhode Island’s lakes are freshwater wetlands, and in regulatory terms they fall within the definition of pond.

5- Forest

Benefit: Visitor and activities.

What used it for: Recreational.

6- Rainwater Recycling/ Harvesting

Benefit: Rain barrels help reduce stormwater pollution by keeping stormwater out of storm drains, and they conserve water- which saves money and helps the environment. Residential water use increases 40 to 50% during summer months, mostly due to outdoor water use. Just one inch of rainwater can generate up to 620 gallons on a 1,000 square foot roof- easily filling a rain barrel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates a rain barrel will save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.

What used it for: Rain barrels are an important part of a stormwater-friendly yard care routine. A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater that would normally flow off of a rooftop and into storm drains. That stored water can then be used later, usually to water lawns or for other outdoor water uses. So, a rain barrel helps prevent stormwater pollution and conserves water! Typical rain barrels are composed of a 55gallon drum, vinyl hose, PVC couplings, and a screen to prevent insects or other debris from becoming caught in the barrel. The barrel can be placed under a gutter down spout or can be connected directly to the downspout. Some homeowners choose to connect multiple rain barrels to increase storage capacity.

Note: No regulations or laws against rainwater harvesting.

7- Permeable Ground Surface

Benefit: Reduces the amount of polluted runoff reaching surface waters by allowing runoff to soak into the ground where pollutants will be filtered out. Preserves woods and other open spaces by eliminating the need for another surface stormwater treatment system adjacent to an impervious surface. Leads to improved drainage so that pedestrians and motorists do not have to contend with large puddles. Encourages faster snowmelt and drainage, meaning less snow and ice accumulate, which reduces the need for road salt. Is comparable to the cost of impervious pavement plus the cost of a conventional stormwater system. Reduces the warming effect in urban areas when conventional asphalt is replaced with block pavers.

What used it for: When stormwater is filtered into the ground, natural processes change pollutants into useful soil components, 2 keep nuisance flooding down, recharge groundwater supplies, and help to keep drinking waters healthy. Permeable pavement is a system of load bearing, durable infrastructure surfaces that allow infiltration of stormwater into the ground. Many, though not all, permeable pavement systems have crushed rock subbases that temporarily store water before allowing infiltration to soil or facilitating drainage elsewhere.

8- Bioretention Facility

Benefit: Suitable in areas with space constraints. Can provide groundwater recharge. Improves site aesthetics Can treat multiple pollutants. Provides shade, windbreaks, and absorbs noise. Good option for retrofit of existing infrastructure. Can help reduce the "Urban Heat Island Effect. Permeable pavements help reestablish a more natural hydrologic balance and reduce runoff volume by trapping and slowly releasing precipitation into the ground instead of allowing it to flow into storm drains and out to receiving waters as effluent. Permeable pavement can reduce the concentration of some pollutants either physically (by trapping it in the pavement or soil), chemically (bacteria and other microbes can break down and utilize some pollutants), or biologically (plants that grow in-between some types of pavers can trap and store pollutants). By slowing down the process, permeable pavements can cool down the temperature of urban runoff, reducing the stress and impact on the stream or lake environment. By controlling the runoff at the source, such as a parking lot, permeable pavement can also reduce the need for or the required size of a regional BMP, such as a wet detention pond, which saves money and effort.

What used it for: Stormwater runoff flows into the bioretention area, percolates through the soil (which acts as a filter) and eventually drains into the groundwater; some of the water is also absorbed by the plants. Bioretention areas are usually designed to allow ponded water and with an overflow outlet to prevent flooding during larger storm events. Where soils have low permeability or where faster drainage is desired, designers may incorporate a perforated underdrain that routes to a storm drain system.