Texas A&M University
OP-23: Stormwater Management

Engineering - The Texas A&M campus is approximately 5000 acres. On the east side of campus, stormwater issues were handled in the mid-90s through the use of retention ponds and vaults. At that time the University planned for projected increases in construction. Along with this, buildings built within the past five years have included a stormwater collection system to allow the water to be used later for irrigation. Most current work for stormwater over the past several years has been on the west side of campus. This includes repair of creek banks and the addition of energy dissipaters. There is also a current requirement for structures built on this side of campus to design so as not to add to the velocity of water. This has been accomplished with the use of stormwater collection and detention ponds. Education - Texas A&M has partnered with the local city governments, county, and Texas Department of Transportation to bring a unified message about stormwater protection to the public. This has been accomplished through multiple media outlets (television, radio, newspapers, fliers, etc). The group also takes its message to local schools assisting with educating children about pollution and stormwater. Prior to tailgating season for athletic events, Texas A&M also placed stormwater markers at each inlet to remind individuals that only stormwater is allowed down storm drains. The University also has a volunteer program in which staff and students spend a Saturday once per year cleaning a creek bank. This past year 127 volunteers removed 115 bags of trash from creek banks. Texas A&M also has an inspection program for all new construction. At least every 14 days the University inspects the sites for new construction. This takes place from ground breaking until the soil is stabilized. Service - Texas A&M has an annual Stream Clean event. We take this opportunity to continue education and to remove pollution and debris from streams affected by our stormwater. Inspection - All outfalls are inspected twice per year. All construction sites are inspected by the University at least every 14 days. These inspections involve a complete site walk through. Construction companies are required to take corrective actions in a timely manner or risk having the site closed.

The University currently has one roof-top garden. Irrigation for the garden is in part accomplished through the use of a cistern that collects water from rain and condensate.

The institution has numerous detention ponds. There is one large pond on the front (east side) of campus. The area gives the appearance of a large grass field. There is a wet detention pond in the center of campus. These two ponds service much of the water leaving the University and entering into the College Station MS4. On the west side of campus, there are several small retention ponds associated with construction in the past ten years. Each of these ponds are dry with a grass bed.

There is a stone swale on the northwest corner of the airport safety zone that drains that section of the airport and safety zone.

We have an earthen swale that runs north on the west side of Finfeather Road. It ends with a concrete runner pad.