April 2024

MANAGEMENT TRENDS

A Community Association’s Manager’s Role in Storm Water Management By Vincent Rapolla, PCAM, AMS, Taylor Management Company, AAMC, AMO

S torm water management takes strategic engineering and thoughtful processes that can also enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the community with the inclusion of retention and detention basins. Once an association is built up and running, it is now our job as community association managers to maintain these areas.

landscape which they are building on. They must take into account all surrounding conditions and what impact the additional water will have on them. Keep in mind that prior to having hundreds of homes on these once empty plots of land, the water would simply be absorbed into the grounds. Now there will be impervious conditions which will push an immense amount of water in all different directions rather than being absorbed. In some of the driest regions of the country a mere quarter acre of land can produce up to 100,000 gallons of water annually. Can you only imagine what is being produced in New Jersey on hundreds of acres being developed. And where does all of the water go? It makes you think about all of the recent flooding over the past few years, doesn’t it? Let’s start with a few definitions: Retention Basin vs. Detention Basin – The main difference between a detention and a retention basin is whether or not it has a permanent pool of water – like a traditional “pond”. A detention basin temporarily stores stormwater runoff. The basin is designed to manage stormwater runoff by stor ing it and releasing it gradually until completely drained. Unlike a detention basin, a retention basin or pond is designed to permanently hold water. Retention basins are commonly used when the groundwater is near the surface of the ground. A retention basin will not have an outlet structure. The water collected by a retention basin will either infiltrate into the ground or evaporate. Both the detention basin and the retention basins require maintenance in order to function properly. A detention basin is a bit easier and requires not much more than keeping the inlets and outlets cleaned, keeping the basin itself free of outside debris, making sure the channels and riprap are maintained, and including the CONTINUES ON PAGE 44

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“The main difference between a detention and a retention basin is whether or not it has a permanent pool of water...”

With the ever-expanding growth in development of new community association’s in the State of New Jersey there has been a growing need for the maintenance and upkeep of water control systems on the lands that are being built on. Water runs downhill and a proper water mitigation plan is one of the most critical aspects of pre- planning engineer ing for a new community. The engineering teams assigned to new construction will need to be able to manage the storm waters without causing harm to surrounding areas of the community and

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APRIL 2024