How can landscape contractors help reduce stormwater runoff?

Implementing permeable paving and rain gardens is a highly effective strategy for landscape contractors to help reduce stormwater runoff. Permeable paving allows water to infiltrate through the surface, replenishing groundwater and naturally filtering pollutants from the runoff before it enters storm systems. This design minimizes the volume and speed of water flow, thus reducing erosion and flooding in surrounding areas.

Rain gardens, which are shallow, vegetated basins designed to capture and absorb rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces, play a complementary role. They utilize deep-rooted plants to enhance water absorption and filtration, providing an ecological method to manage stormwater. Together, these design features not only address the immediate challenge of stormwater runoff but also promote biodiversity and improve the aesthetic quality of landscapes.

In contrast, options that suggest using impermeable surfaces or increasing concrete areas would exacerbate stormwater issues by preventing water from soaking into the ground, leading to higher runoff levels. Additionally, planting only grass may not be sufficient for effective water absorption compared to a more diverse and designed landscape that incorporates rain gardens and permeable materials. Therefore, the first choice clearly presents the most effective and environmentally friendly approach to managing stormwater runoff.