Back in March, we introduced our Stormwater Schematics for the first time. Last week’s webinar reminded me that I want to make sure everyone knows about these as they consider how they want to use the Silva Cell on their site.

The Stormwater Schematics (look under the Standard Details, Specifications, & Schematics section) are there to help designers envision how to get stormwater into and out of the Silva Cell system.  While there are limitless possibilities for how to design for on-site stormwater management, these Schematics give you an idea of the possibilities.

Remember that the Schematics are just basic examples. These should be mixed, matched, and modified as necessary to meet specific site conditions and goals. All are designed to make the landscape hydrology function more effectively — and closer to how it would if the site had never been developed in the first place.

One of the biggest challenges we face for implementing solutions like the Silva Cell is cost. And if we compare the cost of more soil under pavement (since we know lots of soil is key to tree growth and on-site stormwater management) with the cost of doing nothing, we are sure to always lose.

Thus, first establishing the need for long-term urban tree growth and for treating stormwater as a resource, rather than as waste, is actually the starting point of this discussion. On-site stormwater management, especially those using low-impact development (LID) techniques, is gaining increasing acceptance and in many places is actually becoming mandated.

Large trees growing in sandy loam soil are very good at treating and holding rainwater. Access to adequate soil and water are critical for trees to grow to maturity in urban areas. Our job is to convince cities and developers to understand that trees can be used as part of their rainwater management plan. Once that happens, meaningful planting conditions can become a required, non-negotiable part of development.

Download our Stormwater Schematics here!