A basic how-to for New Orleans residents seeking to understand more about stormwater and drainage. Developed when I was an extension agent with the LSU AgCenter

1. Homeowner Drainage
Solutions
Simple Steps to Protect Your Home
& Property from Damage by Taking
Responsibility for Stormwater on
Your Property
Steve Picou
Sustainable Housing Agent
LSU AgCenter
www.lsuagcenter.com
What do you perceive as the biggest problem with stormwater?
Have you taken any steps to deal with it on your property?

2. In New Orleans, this is a big problem. Even if this isn’t in your block, it could be affecting you. Keep catch basins clean! Esplanade Ave

3. Have you ever done this? Also on Esplanade Ave across the street from the clogged drain.

4. This is the Langston Hughes construction site. This is a violation and has been reported to LDEQ. Call (888) 763-5424 to report violations to
LDEQ

5. Derby Place July 11, 2010
Bayou Derby July 11, 2010

6. Derby Place July 11, 2010

7. When we think of the watershed we don’t think our home and yard could be part of this “natural” system. But we are Nature. And everything
we do affects the system.

8. Runoff from roadways, homes, businesses and construction sites contribute to sediment loads in area streams and lakes.

9. Where does water enter and
leave your property?
Make sure water drains away from foundation
Landscape your yard to minimize runoff
Preserve established trees
Plant rain gardens of native plants
Gutters drain to rain barrels or rain gardens
Reduce concrete & install permeable systems

10. Roof Runoff Can Damage Your
Foundation
1” of rainfall on a 1000 sq ft roof produces between 600 and 800 gallons of runoff

14. Landscaping for Water:
Rain Gardens
Slow the runoff
Reduces demand on infrastructure
Reduces impact on neighbors
Cleans the water
Beautifies and provides habitat
Restores the ecosystem
Properly done does not breed mosquitoes which need 7 days of stagnant water

15. Rain gardens detain and slow the water without letting it pond long enough to breed mosquitoes. Lots of mulch, and NOT CYPRESS MULCH,
make it porous and healthy.

19. Rain Harvesting Systems
Harvest rainwater for irrigating
gardens, plants and lawns
Save money: you pay twice
when using city water
Saves energy

22. Less Hardscape
More Permeable Systems
Driveways and sidewalks
Interlocking pavers
Grass-pave systems
Gravel and limestone

23. Traditional brick driveway with no mortar or sand

24. Grass pave system

25. Permeable interlocking paver lot across from Morial Convention Center

26. Gravel driveway with borders

27. bayoulandrcd.org

28. watershednola.org

29. Where does water
enter and leave your
property?
Steve Picou
Sustainable Housing Agent
LSU AgCenter
spicou@agcenter.lsu.edu
504-736-6519
www.lsuagcenter.com