What is stormwater?

Stormwater is water from rain, snow, sleet and hail that flows across the earth and pavement. This stormwater either seeps into the ground or runs into stormdrains that are usually located at street corners or low points on the sides of streets.

What causes stormwater runoff?

Stormwater runoff occurs when stormwater runs across impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and streets and is prevented from naturally soaking into the ground.

What problems can occur from excess runoff?

• Flooding of roads which can cause accidents and driver delays
• Property flooding that can cause damage to structures and foundations as well as cause sewer backups
• Environmental damage called "topsoil runoff" that occurs when stormwater collects debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants that flow into storm drains or directly into a stream, lake, wetland or coastal water.

Past solutions for controlling stormwater runoff

• Polyethylene, steel or concrete pipe
• Ponds and swales
• Concrete structures

The disadvantages of these methods are that they are heavy and difficult to install, require expensive heavy equipment to install, are labor intensive, expensive to ship, and cause the loss of valuable land.

Why Cultec?

Cultec Stormwater chambers offer a better solution. These polyethylene, corrugated chambers are dome shaped, fully open on the bottom and have perforated side walls. Cultec chambers store stormwater within the dome until it can infiltrate into the ground.