CHAPEL HILL HIGH SCHOOL ISLAND PROJECT Water: The Essential Ingredient & Thoughts for Sustainability...

CHAPEL HILL HIGH SCHOOLCHAPEL HILL HIGH SCHOOLISLAND PROJECTISLAND PROJECT

Water:Water: The Essential Ingredient

&

Thoughts for Sustainability

©Town of Chapel Hill Stormwater Management Division

Respect the Nature of WaterRespect the Nature of Water


Looking at Water as a Looking at Water as a ResourceResource

DrinkingWashing and BathingRecreation & TourismWildlife & Plant Life

Agriculture and IndustryTransportation

Energy ProductionHeatingCooling

Trading or selling©Town of Chapel Hill Stormwater Management Division

Can Water Be a Liability Can Water Be a Liability For Your Island?For Your Island?

• Severe weather deaths• Flooding & storm damage• Drought may limit water availability• Pollution or improper treatment• Attracts too many people-resources

compromised• Rising sea levels


Take a Watershed ApproachTake a Watershed ApproachDelineate your watersheds

and sub-basins for planning and management

Town of Chapel Hill Stormwater Management Division

Environmental InventoryEnvironmental Inventory

– Map waterways and natural springs – Map sub-basin watersheds– Identify and map endangered species– Identify and map sensitive species or

areas– Map soil types– Measure and map slopes/elevations

(contour map)


Land ConservationLand Conservation

• Critical habitats (essential spaces for

plant and animal communities)

• Aquatic corridors (floodplains, stream

channels, springs, estuarine coves, shorelines, riparian forest, caves, sinkholes)

• Hydrologic reserves (undeveloped

areas that act to store water)

• Cultural areas (historic/archaeological

sites, scenic areas, recreational areas)

• Water pollution hazards (land

use that has potential for polluting water)


Non-Stormwater Discharges Non-Stormwater Discharges

• Septic Systems/Sanitary Sewers• Industrial leaks, runoff or discharges• Salt from desalinization operations• Concentrated animal feeding

operations (CAFOs)• Dumping


Without buffers-Without buffers-Erosion & Stream DamageErosion & Stream Damage


Aquatic BuffersAquatic BuffersSlow & Filter Runoff, Shade Streams, Slow & Filter Runoff, Shade Streams,

Stabilize BanksStabilize Banks


Illustration of multi-species riparian buffer strip (Source: National Agroforestry Center, 2000).

Town of Chapel Hill Stormwater Management Division EPA File

Impervious Surfaces Affect Impervious Surfaces Affect Water Quality & FloodingWater Quality & Flooding

Impervious cover may need limitsImpervious cover may need limits


Impervious cover over 10% Impervious cover over 10% degrades environmentdegrades environment


Erosion & Sediment Erosion & Sediment ControlControl

• Perhaps the most destructive stage of the development cycle is the relatively short period when vegetation is cleared and a site is graded in preparation to build.


Poor Erosion Control at Poor Erosion Control at Construction SiteConstruction Site


Terracing to use slopes; Terracing to use slopes; prevent erosionprevent erosion


httpwww.worldisround.comarticles25788photo27.html

Terracing to use slopes; Terracing to use slopes; prevent erosionprevent erosion


Street Infiltration for RunoffStreet Infiltration for Runoff

Town of Chapel Hill Stormwater Management DivisionPhoto by LID Center

Bioretention CellBioretention Cell


Rain GardensRain Gardens


Photo by NC DENR

Roof Drain Roof Drain Disconnection/DiversionDisconnection/Diversion


Photo by Rain Water Solutions

CisternsCisterns


Wet PondsWet Ponds


Permeable PavementPermeable Pavement


Green RoofsGreen Roofs

Photo by Greenroofs.com


SwalesSwales


Sand FiltersSand Filters


Street Sweeping & Surface Street Sweeping & Surface Maintenance Maintenance


Watershed Stewardship Watershed Stewardship • Educate residents and visitors about

clean water• Provide easy to follow rules and tools

to protect water resources (no littering, tree protection rules, septic tank pump out required every 3-5 years, development rules, etc.)

• Promote water conservation and clean water activities


How Can You Mitigate Damage How Can You Mitigate Damage to Your Island?to Your Island?

• Inventory natural resources and know what you want to protect & how.

• Know Slopes, Elevations and Soils. Map them!

• Follow strict construction BMPs.

• Develop for most severe weather conditions.

• Mitigate flooding hazards.

• Identify potential pollution sources.

• Mitigate runoff pollution.

• Choose water treatment processes carefully.

• Control visitation if necessary.

• Educate all workers, residents and visitors about water resources & best management practices.


CHAPEL HILL HIGH SCHOOL ISLAND PROJECT Water: The Essential Ingredient & Thoughts for Sustainability...

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