Drainage & Storm Water Management
For many people the word Drainage conjures up terrible connotations of flooded basements, leaking foundations, eroded yards, drywells and burly contractors with heavy machinery and big bills.

Nature's Cradle has been very active in the green movement of which Storm Water Management is a fundamental element. Through the design and installation of dry stream beds, rain gardens and conventional drainage products we have been a leader in the Westchester/Fairfield area in the design and implementation of these visually stunning systems which filtrate storm water runoff and prevent it's irresponsible discharge into overloaded and aging municipal sewer systems.

Nature’s Cradle Nursery at 55 Mill Road has taken notice of the government’s concerns regarding flooding and storm water management. This summer we created the “Nature’s Cradle Rain Water Reclamation System.” We have installed and perfected the system at our garden center with excellent effect. We capture all the water that falls on our roof and on our property using a series of drains, filters, and pipes. The water is channeled into a below ground 1500 gallon tank (11 ft long, 6 ft tall, and 5 ft wide). The water is then pumped out as needed to water the plants at the garden center. Rain water recycling is an essential aspect of storm water management. It is not acceptable to pipe excess rainwater into an overloaded municipal sewer system. As a community we must learn to use, and recycle the rain water with which the planet has blessed us.

Click "here" to view some of our work.

RAIN WATER RECYCLING IS A PATRIOTIC DUTY

This summer the United States Global Change Research program released a report on expected climate changes. One of the many findings was the effect that global warming will have on the Northeast. The most dangerous change will be the increased flooding from heavy downpours of rain. As a matter of fact, the Northeastern part of the U.S. has already seen a 58% increase in heavy rainfall over the past 50 years. A major contributing factor to flooding is rain water runoff.

Runoff is defined as excess precipitation that is unable to evaporate, filter, or be stored back into the environment.

The only thing worse than wasting a precious natural resource is paying for the privilege to do so! Studies show that about 40% of our household water expense comes from watering the lawn and garden. Why pay for water when it falls freely from the sky? Too often, residential water use is viewed from a supply-side perspective. When you consider reducing demand, especially in regard to exterior landscaping, many more options are available to meet conservation goals. There is no reason that rainwater could not be the primary or secondary landscape water source residents, businesses, and public property.

The Westchester County government is well aware of the potential danger of a lackadaisical approach to storm water management. County Executive Spano and Congresswoman Nita Lowey described $11.15 million in projects to ease flooding in Mamaroneck town and village, Eastchester, Bronxville, Scarsdale, Tarrytown and Rye City/Rye Brook. “Much of our region was devastated from floods in April 2007." said Spano. "Residents were flooded out of their homes and businesses ruined. The damage was enormous. We want to prevent that from happening again." In the aftermath of that flooding, Spano created a Flood Action Task Force and committed $50 million in county funds to help with local flood remediation projects.

The Town of Eastchester also understands the importance of storm water management as evidenced by the outline of facts accepted into minutes during a town meeting in January 2008.