Stormwater
Stormwater Retention Basin Installation
Why Stormwater Retention Basin Installation?
As an essential part of our excavation division, John’s Septic & Excavation provides full-scope stormwater retention basin installations for residential, commercial, and new-construction projects. These systems are often required by township stormwater ordinances to manage runoff created by new roofs, additions, driveways, garages, and other impervious surfaces.
Stormwater retention basins play a major role in protecting your property, surrounding land, and local infrastructure. We work directly from engineering stormwater plans and perform every phase of excavation and installation with precision, compliance, and long-term performance in mind.
Purpose of a Retention Basin
A retention basin is engineered to:
- Capture and hold stormwater during heavy rainfall
- Prevent water from flowing toward foundations or structures
- Reduce erosion and soil washout
- Lower risk of flooding on your property and neighboring lots
- Allow water to infiltrate slowly back into the ground
- Meet municipal stormwater requirements for development
Townships require these systems to ensure properties manage their own runoff responsibly and safely.
What's Included in Our Installation Process
1. Excavation to Engineered Specifications
We excavate the basin to the exact depth, footprint, and sidewall design shown in the stormwater plan. Proper excavation ensures:
- Correct storage volume
- Proper infiltration rates
- Compliance with township calculations
2. Geotextile Fabric Installation
Heavy-duty non-woven geotextile fabric is installed to:
- Separate native soil from clean stone
- Prevent clogging and sediment infiltration
- Maintain the system’s long-term functionality
3. Clean Stone Placement
We install the specified type and size of stone to create void space for water storage. This stone bed distributes water evenly and supports infiltration.
4. Perforated Pipe Installation (If Specified)
Some engineered systems include:
- Perforated piping networks
- Header pipes
- Distribution lines
- Access ports or cleanouts
These components help disperse water through the stone bed.
5. Rain Leader & Surface Drain Tie-Ins
We connect the system to:
- Downspouts
- Yard drains
- Driveway trench drains
- Surface swales
- Drainage piping
Tie-ins ensure all runoff is properly routed into the retention system.
6. Backfilling & Final Grading
Once the basin is built, we backfill and grade the area to:
- Direct surface water away from structures
- Restore the property for landscaping
- Ensure proper sheet flow
We can also prepare the area for topsoil, seed, sod, or future landscaping.
7. Coordination With Engineers & Inspectors
We manage all communication and on-site walkthroughs with:
- Township inspectors
- Third-party engineers
- Stormwater design professionals
This ensures seamless approval and compliance.
Why Our Retention Basins Perform Better
John’s Septic & Excavation installs stormwater systems designed for durability, efficiency, and long-term infiltration. Our approach includes:
- Correct material selection (clean stone, proper fabric, spec-rated PVC)
- Proper compaction around the structure
- Correct pitch and fall for all connecting pipes
- Avoiding over-compaction of infiltration zones
- Ensuring proper soil profiles for recharge
- Following every engineering note to exact specification
We provide systems that continue working effectively year after year—not just long enough to pass inspection.
When You Might Need a Retention Basin
Retention basins are commonly required when you:
- Build a new home
- Add a garage, addition, or sunroom
- Expand a driveway or patio
- Install a pool
- Regrade a large portion of your lot
- Develop a commercial or multi-unit property
- Increase impervious area beyond township limits
Nearly every municipality in Southeastern Pennsylvania now requires engineered stormwater controls for these projects.
Part of Our Professional Excavation Services
Stormwater retention basin installation is fully integrated into our excavation capabilities, allowing us to complete:
- Large-scale earthmoving
- Trenching and drainage work
- Grading and contour shaping
- Utility trenching
- Septic system excavation
- Complete site preparation
This gives homeowners, builders, and engineers a single contractor who can handle the entire excavation and stormwater scope from start to finish.
Schedule Water Retention Services
Whether you need grading, utility trenching, or hydro excavation, John’s Septic & Excavation has the equipment, experience, and expertise to deliver.
Contact us today for a quote or to schedule service.
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