An opportunity to increase aquifer recharge

Photo credit: Linda LaMar

Within our water system communities property owners can increase aquifer recharge by managing stormwater runoff using simple, efficient and cost-effective green stormwater infrastructure. Often, if stormwater runoff is left to flow into a county road ditch there’s a good chance it will end up in the ocean instead of our aquifers.

There are many methods to encouraging stormwater to soak back into the ground instead of running off your property. Of course it is important to consider drainage patterns relative to septic systems, foundations, and neighboring properties, and to recognize that management practices on bluffs and shoreline boundaries have to prioritize bluff preservation and slope stability.

You can find online resources that provide guidance on best practices and training at Whidbey Island Conservation District. WICD has a specific Water Resources page, along with a section on Stormwater, Rain Gardens, & Drainage on the Resource Hub with lots of links. For those who are not familiar with WICD, they are a non-regulatory special purpose district that provides free services to all Whidbey residents and are often incentive-based; this means they provide free technical assistance to all and also financial assistance in some cases.

For general interest, John Lovie recently gave a talk to the WICD on aquifer recharge and climate impacts. You can find the video and presentation on the WICD home page and have a chance to check out the Whidbey Island Conservation District!