Stormwater

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is runoff from rain and snowmelt which flows over the ground, driveways, streets, parking lots, and buildings that drains to streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

Why should we be concerned with stormwater?

There are two main issues relating to stormwater runoff; one is the volume and intensity of the runoff water and the other relates to the potential contaminants that the water is carrying to a storm drain, lake, stream, wetland, or river.

What is stormwater management?

Stormwater management addresses delaying, retaining, treating, or infiltrating stormwater runoff. The loss of wetland and floodplain areas along with the corresponding increase in impervious surfaces necessitates the active management of stormwater runoff through the use of structural controls, such as water quality facilities and detention ponds, or other management measures within most urbanized areas, including privately owned systems. 

Structural controls provide a means to manage the amount, intensity and contaminants contained within stormwater runoff. However, it is difficult to construct and operate a stormwater facility that will work as effectively as the natural system functioned prior to urbanization. Other measures that should be considered include, but are not limited to: restoring wetlands and floodplains, increasing the amount of typical and urban forest or native cover, reducing the amount of impervious cover, and minimizing our collective impact (e.g. responsible home and work practices) on any given watershed.