The World's Largest Filter - The Role of Soil in Stormwater Management

Effective stormwater management involves a multifaceted local community approach toward regional watershed-level processes. This is because stormwater runoff is created by precipitation events that occur whenever and wherever storms develop. But, when you think about it, basic stormwater management utilizes engineering, science, and construction tools to develop site conditions that mimic the pre-development natural conditions. Why is that done? Because, as it turns out, nature is pretty good at assimilating stormwater with plants and soil. So, let’s talk a little about what’s so special about soil.

Although we typically think of soil as dirt, it is much more. Soil is the foundation of all life and is something that affects us every day.  From a narrow viewpoint, soil is a medium in which many things can occur, including supporting the growth of plant life.  As a medium for stormwater renovation, however, soil acts as a physical, chemical, and biological filter.  By understanding the vital role of soil in stormwater renovation, more effective stormwater management strategies can be employed.