Environmental Benefits of Gravity Ocean Stormwater Outfall
Gravity Ocean Stormwater Outfalls are an innovative, tested, and effective alternative to discharging stormwater compared to historical, unsightly beach outfalls and natural swashes in coastal communities. Some proven benefits include water quality improvements, encouragement of natural habitat, reduction of stormwater pipes on beaches, and reduction in public health concerns of historical methods.
The Challenge: Beach outfalls can be unsightly and cause erosion of natural beaches. They also transmit harmful bacteria to the beach during and after rainfall, raising concerns for swimmers and habitats. Many communities face contamination of beach water due to outfall pipes sitting directly on the beach. Gravity ocean stormwater outfalls solve these problems, but they can be expensive and present construction challenges that could affect tourism.
Why Bolton & Menk: Bolton & Menk has pioneered the practice of bringing ocean outfalls 1,000+ feet into the ocean to avoid stormwater discharge into the surf. They have secured millions of dollars in funding for clients to successfully complete these first-of-their-kind projects. Deepwater outfall projects performed by Bolton & Menk have been well received by state and federal regulatory agencies due to water quality improvements in the removal of oil, grease, street litter, and cigarette butts from the runoff. These projects also encourage natural habitats while the structures act as reefs. Gravity Ocean Stormwater Outfalls solve beach town stormwater, drainage, and shoreline beautifying challenges.
Bolton & Menk Solutions: Bolton & Menk offers a wide range of services, including water & wastewater engineering, civil/municipal planning & engineering, bridge & structural services, transportation planning & engineering, environmental planning & permitting, aviation services, construction services, urban planning & design, water resources engineering, geographic information system, land surveying, project communication studio services, project funding support, UAV services, and landscape architecture.
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