FAIL (the browser should render some flash content, not this).
FAIL (the browser should render some flash content, not this).

 

 

client access

 

 

Front Range Environmental
2110 Wright Road
McHenry, Illinois 60050

866-426-0025
847-382-5904 fax
ieca


The Challenge

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or melting snow flows over the ground. Your organization’s physical structure is built on impervious surfaces such as foundations, sidewalks, and parking lots that prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. This stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants before flowing into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into waterbodies commonly used for swimming, fishing, and drinking water.

These negative effects are magnified during development phases with initial clearing and grading that occur during construction. Trees, meadow grasses, and agricultural crops that once intercepted and absorbed rainfall are removed, and natural depressions that temporarily pond water are graded to a uniform slope. Cleared and graded sites that naturally erode are often severely compacted, and can no longer prevent rainfall from being rapidly converted into stormwater runoff.

The situation only worsens after construction. Roof tops, roads, and parking lots no longer allow rainfall to soak into the ground. This rainfall is converted directly to runoff, and can overwhelm existing natural drainage systems. As a result, the natural drainage system must often be altered to rapidly collect runoff and quickly convey it away using engineered systems such as detention and retention ponds, enclosed storm sewers, and lined channels. Stormwater runoff is subsequently discharged to downstream waters such as streams, reservoirs, lakes or estuaries.

Taking control of stormwater and erosion issues for your organization begins with knowing your responsibilities and understanding the distinct needs of your physical site, your community, and the regulatory issues that impact you.

Front Range Environmental works to bring these needs into focus. Once identified, we provide the right range of solutions to ensure control, compliance and peace of mind.


2a


Polluted stormwater runoff can have adverse effects on people, plants, fish, and animals.

  • Polluted stormwater negatively affects drinking water sources, threatening human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

  • Sediment can cloud water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats.

  • Excess nutrients often cause algae blooms. When algae die, they decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Aquatic life can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.

  • Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas, creating health hazards and often making beach closures necessary.

  • Debris (plastics, bottles, and cigarette butts) washed into waterbodies can suffocate or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.

  • Hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and auto fluids can poison aquatic life. People and land animals can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
Home | The Challenge | Stormwater Services | Erosion Control Services | Our Clients | News & Links | Contact Us