Environmental Contracting & Drainage Assistance
The State of North Carolina and Local Governments implement SCMs in order to comply with nutrient reduction strategies and improve water quality. The estimates of municipal spending in this area in the next two decades are between $1-2 billion.
Urban Sustainability Solutions believes in multifunctional green infrastructure that protects water resources but also supports plant biodiversity, food production, soil infiltration, carbon sequestration, microclimate, visual quality, and recreation.
In spring 2023, we plan to offer two demonstrations to the public highlighting these multifunctional green infrastructure practices. For updates, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of our home page!
Urban Sustainability Solutions helps households in the Triangle identify potential water quality project funding from government agencies and assists in applying to water quality cost-sharing programs covering the installation costs of SCMs. The types of SCMs installed includes:
• Down Spout Disconnection
• Cisterns (low flow drip irrigation/conventional irrigation)
• Rain Gardens
• Streambank Stabilization
• Riparian Buffer Enhancement
• Grass Swales
Drainage Assistance
Poor drainage around a home creates opportunities for mold and invasive insects to infect dwellings, degrading structures and the quality of life for residents.
Urban Sustainability Solutions solicits grant funding to cover 100 percent of the cost to retrofit low-income households with new gutters and provide positive drainage away from the home.
Our goal is to develop partnerships with other local nonprofits to assist in the installation process.
The Problem
Too often the grade around a residential structure is inadequate for runoff to flow away from the home. The North Carolina Building code requires 6 inch fall over a minimum of 10 feet from the foundation. This is critical for structural protection.
In this picture, the foundation has cracked around the corner of the client’s home. Excess water put stress on the corner of the foundation after entering under the crawl space door. In addition, rain flowing off the roof is causing erosion on the outside of the foundation wall.
Improper gutters in combination with an improper grade will lead to excessive moisture under the crawl space.
In this picture, stormwater is overflowing the gutter in the center above the window. Spillover from the gutter then enters into the crawl space through the air vent due to the improper grade level. A proper grade level for this home should be 6” below the bottom of the air vent.
The Solution
The installation of multifunctional green infrastructure can address the improper gutter placement, piping, and site grade while installing stormwater control measures.
Typical SCMs that would remediate site grade and provide water quality include, grass swales & impervious surface disconnection/downspout disconnection.
This holistic approach improves water quality, protects structural integrity, and improves indoor air quality.