Stormwater Planning & Design
When rainfall can’t be absorbed into the ground due to impervious surfacing and conveyance, the resulting stormwater runoff is transported unnaturally in increased volumes and speed into streams. The runoff damages stream habitats, erodes streambanks, and reduces the quality of drinking water and water-based recreation. Pollutants such as oils, brake dust, and fertilizers get washed into the stream. The reduction in infiltration also alters the water table and natural hydrology of the area, contributing to lower stream flows in dry spells and flash flooding during storm events.
Equinox has been a leader in the region in planning for and designing stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to help reduce the impact of these problems. Our innovative stormwater solutions not only meet regulatory stormwater requirements but celebrate water by converting stormwater treatments into aesthetic and functional amenities for residential, commercial, institutional and government landowners and the larger community. By applying extensive staff experience in landscape architecture, ecology, water resource sciences, plant & soil science, and land planning, Equinox develops integrated solutions that effectively meet clients’ stormwater management needs. As a testament to our proficiency, one of Equinox’ projects is a featured case study in the 2009 Low Impact Development Guidebook for North Carolina, published by the NC Cooperative Extension Service.
 Equinox provides watershed-based stormwater assessments to find stormwater BMP retrofit opportunities. We perform stormwater BMP designs for specific sites as well as for entire developments. We also assist clients in finding funding to help pay for better stormwater management planning and design. Equinox is experienced in working with mountain topography, local government stormwater requirements, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater regulations.
SAMPLE PROJECTS:
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INCLUDED SERVICES:
• Low Impact
Development (LID)
• Stormwater Site and
Watershed Assessments
• Green Infrastructure
Design
• Infrastructure Whole
Life Cost Estimates and
Comparisons
• Hydraulic & Hydrologic
Modeling
• Stormwater Retrofit
Planning & Design
• BMP Maintenance
Inspection
• Consulting and
Permitting for
Stormwater
Requirements &
Regulations
• Water Harvesting &
Re-Use Modeling
(Cisterns)
• Stormwater BMP Design
• Pollutant Reduction
Effectiveness
Calculations
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