Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
OP-27: Rainwater Management

To Southern Illinois University Edwardsville storm water is a resource; as such, it is the University’s mission to teach, advise, develop, and encourage good management of stormwater in a manner that will promote a healthy environment and thriving communities. Keep dumpsters and other containers securely closed to help keep rain from washing away pollutants. Avoid washing grit and grime into the storm drainage system. Instead, pick up litter, sweep areas and dispose of sweepings in garbage. Use absorbent materials to absorb oil. Dispose of hazardous waste properly. GOOD STORAGE PRACTICES Read and follow handling instructions for all the materials you store. Regularly remove all sediment and debris from storage area. Place materials inside rigid, durable, water‐tight and rodent‐proof containers with tightfitting covers. Make sure the containers are spill‐ proof. Inspectfor leaks and perform routine maintenance. Store materials inside a building or build a covered area that is paved and designed to preventrunofffrom entering storm drains. Cover materials stored outdoors with sheets or plastic to prevent exposure to rainfall. Store hazardous materials according to federal, state, and localrequirements. SPILL PREVENTION AND CLEAN‐UP Take the time to use precautions to prevent spills. Sweep and dry mop frequently to reduce the amount of dirt,fluids, and other residues that accumulate where you work. Create a spill prevention and cleanup plan. Clean up spills promptly ifthey do happen. Clean up without water whenever possible by sweeping or wiping. Keep absorbents and rags on hand to help clean up spills. PROPERTYMAINTENANCE Avoid using detergents in pressure washing. Clean catch basins and storm drains regularly. Take steps to prevent erosion before clearing vegetation from land. Use only the righttype and amount of fertilizers, herbicides, and/or pesticides for your landscaping. Avoid applying them during rainy weather. Do not over water. Excess water transports pollutants off your property into the storm drain system. ELIMINATING IMPROPER DISCHARGE TO STORM DRAINS Eliminate illicit connections. Sweep parking lots, storage areas and driveways atleast once per month to collect dirt, waste, and debris. Rinse the lot with water only (no soap) after sweeping it, using a rag or absorbent materialto properly dispose of automotive fluids and oil spots. Don’t allow wash waterfrom engine or equipment washing to enter a storm drain. Store and contain liquid materials in such a mannerthatifthe tank is ruptured,the contents will not discharge,flow or be washed into the storm drainage system. THANK YOU FOR HELPING For Additionalinformation Contact: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of EmergencyManagement and Safety StormwaterManage

http://www.siue.edu/emergencymanagement/pdf/SIUE_Stormwater_Brochure_2.pdf

Green roofs have been growing in popularity in the U.S. because of their many environmental advantages. SIUE engineers and scientists are evaluating the environmental benefits of green roof technology and the performance of various green roof materials and techniques. The research, which is part of the University’s Green Roof Environmental Evaluation Network (GREEN), is taking place on top of the School of Engineering Building, as well as at a ground-level field site. Research conducted by SIUE students and faculty has the potential to influence green technology and future environmental trends. GREEN is a collaborative initiative lead by the School of Engineering, the Environmental Sciences Program and the Department of Environmental Sciences. The effort involves local St. Louis companies Green Roof Blocks and Jost Greenhouses and other environmental industry leaders and universities. Susan Morgan, civil engineering professor and chair of that department, works closely with students to study the quantity and quality of the storm water runoff. “While there is the potential for green roofs to add pollutants from the growth media and fertilizer, our data so far shows little contamination,” she said. “There is, however, a significant reduction in the amount of runoff from green roofs compared to traditional roofs.” Serdar Celik, SIUE assistant professor of mechanical engineering, studies the thermal benefits of having a green roof. “The green roof acts as insulation,” he said. “By having a green roof, the plants promote less building heat gain in summer and less building heat loss in winter.” Celik is quantifying the R-values, or thermal resistance, of different growth media-vegetation-fertilizer combinations. According to Bill Retzlaff, associate professor of biological sciences and chair of that department, a green roof on the SIUE Engineering Building lowers the roof temperature in the summertime as much as 70 degrees. “The cost savings from green roofs can be significant,” Retzlaff said. “The city of Toronto, Canada, has estimated that they could reduce annual heating and cooling costs by $1 billion if six percent of the rooftops were green roofs.” One of these important partnerships is with Ittner, a St. Louis-based architectural firm. The firm recently completed a green roof project on the balcony of SIUE’s Rendleman Hall, which is now being used by the building’s employees as a daily retreat for breaks and lunch. This modular block system, like the one that rests on SIUE’s Student Success Center roof, will be tested by SIUE’s biological sciences and civil engineering departments for green benefits.

A project was funded by the Sustainability Advisory Group to construct a rain garden in the detention area of parking lot E. This would help slow the flow of the water decreasing erosion and filter out many harmful chemicals.

A project was funded by the Sustainability Advisory Group to construct a rain garden in the detention area of parking lot E. This would help slow the flow of the water decreasing erosion and filter out many harmful chemicals.

To Southern Illinois University Edwardsville storm water is a resource; as such, it is the University’s mission to teach, advise, develop, and encourage good management of stormwater in a manner that will promote a healthy environment and thriving communities. Keep dumpsters and other containers securely closed to help keep rain from washing away pollutants. Avoid washing grit and grime into the storm drainage system. Instead, pick up litter, sweep areas and dispose of sweepings in garbage. Use absorbent materials to absorb oil. Dispose of hazardous waste properly. GOOD STORAGE PRACTICES Read and follow handling instructions for all the materials you store. Regularly remove all sediment and debris from storage area. Place materials inside rigid, durable, water‐tight and rodent‐proof containers with tightfitting covers. Make sure the containers are spill‐ proof. Inspectfor leaks and perform routine maintenance. Store materials inside a building or build a covered area that is paved and designed to preventrunofffrom entering storm drains. Cover materials stored outdoors with sheets or plastic to prevent exposure to rainfall. Store hazardous materials according to federal, state, and localrequirements. SPILL PREVENTION AND CLEAN‐UP Take the time to use precautions to prevent spills. Sweep and dry mop frequently to reduce the amount of dirt,fluids, and other residues that accumulate where you work. Create a spill prevention and cleanup plan. Clean up spills promptly ifthey do happen. Clean up without water whenever possible by sweeping or wiping. Keep absorbents and rags on hand to help clean up spills. PROPERTYMAINTENANCE Avoid using detergents in pressure washing. Clean catch basins and storm drains regularly. Take steps to prevent erosion before clearing vegetation from land. Use only the righttype and amount of fertilizers, herbicides, and/or pesticides for your landscaping. Avoid applying them during rainy weather. Do not over water. Excess water transports pollutants off your property into the storm drain system. ELIMINATING IMPROPER DISCHARGE TO STORM DRAINS Eliminate illicit connections. Sweep parking lots, storage areas and driveways atleast once per month to collect dirt, waste, and debris. Rinse the lot with water only (no soap) after sweeping it, using a rag or absorbent materialto properly dispose of automotive fluids and oil spots. Don’t allow wash waterfrom engine or equipment washing to enter a storm drain. Store and contain liquid materials in such a mannerthatifthe tank is ruptured,the contents will not discharge,flow or be washed into the storm drainage system. THANK YOU FOR HELPING For Additionalinformation Contact: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of EmergencyManagement and Safety StormwaterManage