Drainage & Detention Engineering in Harris County
The Houston region's flat terrain and heavy rainfall make drainage design critical to every project. We design site drainage that conveys storm water to ditches and flood control channels at an acceptable rate, and we prepare the storm water plans your permit requires.
- 50+ years of engineering experience
- Family-owned in Channelview, TX
- Licensed installers and engineers in Texas
- 9 communities served, including Channelview, Baytown & Crosby
Who it's for
- Developers and builders whose site plans require drainage and detention
- Commercial owners renewing a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP)
- Contractors who need a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) before construction
- Owners of property in or near a mapped floodplain
- Owners of existing sites with flooding, ponding or runoff onto neighboring properties
What's included
- Complete site drainage and detention design
- Floodplain analysis and required mitigation
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) for new construction
- Storm Water Quality Management Plans, or the engineering review required for renewal
- Drainage redesign for existing sites
How it works
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Site review
We evaluate the site, its current outfall (ditch, channel or storm sewer) and the applicable floodplain maps.
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Analysis
We calculate runoff before and after the project and determine the detention required, if any.
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Plans
We prepare grading, pipe, ditch and detention plans, along with the SWPPP or water quality plan required for the permit.
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Approval
We submit the plans to the county, city or drainage district and respond to review comments through approval.
Questions about drainage improvements
Does my project require detention?
Many new developments, and projects that add pavement or roof area, require detention so the site does not increase downstream runoff. Whether your project does depends on its size and the reviewing agency. We will confirm this during the site review.
What is the difference between a SWPPP and a SWQMP?
A SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) applies during construction and describes how sediment and pollutants are kept out of storm water while the site is being built. A SWQMP (Storm Water Quality Management Plan) applies to the completed site and describes how its storm water quality is maintained over the long term.
Part of my property is in the floodplain. Can I still build?
In many cases, yes. Building in a floodplain generally requires a floodplain analysis and mitigation measures such as fill limits, elevated floor levels or additional storage. We perform the analysis and design the mitigation.