Managing stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces at a new electric utility data center site using nature-based solutions

VELCO Operations Facility Green Stormwater Infrastructure Design

The Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), Vermont’s statewide electric transmission provider, routinely invests in ongoing maintenance and updates throughout their system. With the goal of meeting system reliability needs, maintaining the electric grid, and achieving decarbonization goals, VELCO has built a new data center at their New Haven Operations Facility to continue the safe and reliable operation of the electric grid during an emergency. 

Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces at the 18,000-square-foot (1,672-square-metre) data center, located on a three-acre (one-hectare) site, needed to be treated, managed, and meet the requirements of the stormwater discharge permit. To this end, VELCO retained our team to provide stormwater infrastructure design for the site and facilitate permitting with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC).

We identified a combination of nature-based solutions to treat and control stormwater runoff during rain and snowmelt events to maintain water quality. These included disconnecting impervious areas and storm/sewer systems or waterbodies, effectively reducing runoff volume, site balancing to compensate for impervious surfaces across the site, and construction of a two-cell subsurface-flow gravel wetland system to remove contaminants through filtration and biodegradation in a low-maintenance, cost-effective manner.

We also initiated an innovative approach to stormwater management that integrates a low-impact design within the surrounding natural landscape. Finally, we supported VELCO in applying for, and successfully receiving, construction and operational stormwater discharge permits from VT DEC.

The new data center enables VELCO facilities to continue safe and reliable operation of the electric grid during an emergency. The stormwater system is functioning as designed, meeting required water quality treatment and control standards that protect water quality within the surrounding watershed.