Homeowners aren't keen on having flooded basements or soggy spots in their lawns, so home design is naturally geared toward keeping rainwater away from the property. Downspouts, soil sloping away from the foundation, and other methods are meant to keep water from causing any problems.

Unfortunately, stormwater runoff from your property can also contribute to environmental issues. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says water flowing off impermeable surfaces will pick up pollutants such as fertilizers, road salt, and garbage into storm drains and sewers, where they are then carried to water sources such as streams and lakes.

When water is absorbed into the soil instead, it is naturally cleansed before reentering aquifers. This process reduces stormwater runoff, helps purify water sources, and reduces the possibility of flooding. Falon Mihalic, writing for the home design site Houzz, says these benefits have encouraged sustainable landscaping efforts designed to slow the flow of rainwater, spread it over a wider area, and allow it to soak into the soil.

You can assess how well your own property dispels rainwater by seeing where the water flows during the next storm. You can then consider solutions for improving your landscaping and home design.

Impermeable surfaces

Whenever water cannot soak into a material, it will flow elsewhere. Rooftops are a major source of stormwater runoff, along with paved driveways and walkways.

Gutters and downspouts will determine where water flows from your roof, and you may need to redirect them. The Environmental Protection Agency says downspouts will convey a great deal of stormwater into the sewer if they are directed onto paved surfaces or into pipes that flow directly to a storm drain.

While the downspout should be extended far enough away from the home to prevent foundation damage, you can also reduce runoff by directing the water flow into a lawn or garden. You can also collect rainwater in a rain barrel or cistern. This practice allows you to conserve water, since these systems let you reuse this water for irrigation.

Rain barrels should be properly winterized once colder temperatures approach. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says they should be emptied and stored upside-down or indoors to keep them from freezing and cracking.

If you're looking to update your roof, green roofs are both visually interesting and a way to reduce runoff. These roofs contain both soil and low-maintenance plants, allowing them to soak up some of the water that falls during a rainstorm. Mihalic says any water that runs off a green roof will also be filtered by the plants, making it cleaner than the runoff from impermeable roofs.

Consider replacing driveways, patios, and walkways with more permeable alternatives. The University of Missouri Extension says gravel or wood chips will work well, as will pavers that contain spaces for water to seep through into the ground.

Landscaping

Steep slopes will dispel water at a fast rate, but establishing plants on these areas will help slow the flow. Mihalic says plants will also help to prevent erosion and stabilize the slope, with the added benefit of eliminating a difficult section of lawn for you to mow. These areas can also be terraced to slow down the water flow.

Boulders and rocks will also shed a large quantity of water. Establishing alpine plants on these surfaces can be beneficial, as they will grow well in minimal soil and help reduce runoff.

Bare soil provides a ready channel for water to flow, but isn't effective in soaking it up. Placing stones, trees, and other obstacles will help slow water down and spread it over a wider area, as will covering the soil with mulch or wood chips. The University of Missouri Extension says diversion ditches and silt fences are also helpful, especially around areas under construction.

Trees can be particularly effective in minimizing runoff, since their roots will take up a great deal of water. The Environmental Protection Agency says leaf canopies will also help intercept rainfall, helping to minimize erosion.

Rain gardens are specifically designed to capture runoff. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says these concave areas are usually placed at the end of downspouts or other areas with significant runoff, and include low-maintenance plants with deep roots. In addition to helping to capture runoff, the gardens will look attractive and provide a nice haven for birds and butterflies.

Swales, infiltration basins, and trenches help direct and infiltrate rainwater. Mihalic says these features can often be combined with plants or other features to blend in with your existing landscaping.

Since many residences have lawns with a mild slope to shed water, you might consider creating a more natural landscape such as a grassy meadow or ferns to help absorb water. Not only will this landscape look attractive, it's also a maintenance-free alternative to keeping a meticulously mowed grass lawn.

If your home abuts a stream or lake, set up a thick layer of trees or vegetation near the waterfront. The University of Missouri Extension says this will help slow and filter runoff before it reaches a water source.