What is a Downspout Redirection?
Hard surfaces such as roofs increase runoff by preventing rain water from being absorbed into the ground. In precipitation events, stormwater runs over hard surfaces and picks up pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorous, suspended sediments, organic chemicals, heavy metals, and oil which are washed directly into our storm systems and local waterways.
Downspouts collect stormwater from roofs and gutters and transport the stormwater away from buildings. Often, the stormwater is directed to another hard surface such as a street where the water picks up additional pollutants. Downspout redirection is an affordable way to slow down and soak in stormwater runoff.
By redirecting a downspout, the flow of the stormwater off a roof is no longer directed to an hard surface, but instead to a pervious surface such as a yard, garden, rain garden, conservation landscape, or rain barrel.