Responsible water return

This last year brought a significant amount of rainfall to Eastern Nebraska almost year round.  Many home owners found flooding and saturation problems where there had been none in the past.  There are several things home owners can do to help responsibly direct this precipitation for positive return instead of over flow and damaging effects.

• French drains can help slowly allow water to absorb instead of pool in a low lying area

• Drain tiles and pop-up drains help keep rain from pooling in landscape beds and able to run to lower accumulation areas instead of washing out the surface and eroding

• Rain gardens can help filter and allow water to infiltrate the ground slower in heavy rains

• Permeable pavers and concrete or porous driveway are alternatives that can handle heavy water flow and allow it to filter into the ground faster.

• Rain barrels can also help catch rain water for irrigation purposes in the dry seasons