Stormwater Runoff and Management
Top: Rain Barrel --
Middle: Pervious Pavement
-- Bottom: Street Sweeping
Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt flows over land or impervious surfaces like paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not percolate into the ground. As this runoff water flows over the land or impervious surfaces it accumulates pollutants such as fertilizers, oil, yard waste, litter, animal waste, and anything else along the way as it runs into storm drains and ditches.
The storm drain system then transports these pollutants into the nearest stream, river or lake. These pollutants may cause algae blooms, increased temperature, or contribute to the degradation of the water quality of our lakes, streams and rivers.
Stormwater Information
Stormwater Management
To manage stormwater discharges, there are a variety of practices that can be implemented by homeowners, those planning and constructing new developments, managers retrofitting existing developments, or municipalities.
A few of these practices, and further information are listed below:
Homeowners
New & Existing Developments
Municipalities
The storm drain system then transports these pollutants into the nearest stream, river or lake. These pollutants may cause algae blooms, increased temperature, or contribute to the degradation of the water quality of our lakes, streams and rivers.
Stormwater Information
Stormwater Management
To manage stormwater discharges, there are a variety of practices that can be implemented by homeowners, those planning and constructing new developments, managers retrofitting existing developments, or municipalities.
A few of these practices, and further information are listed below:
Homeowners
- Plant rain gardens and native plants. - See our annual Tree & Shrub sales and Native Plant sales.
- Install a rain barrel - See our annual Rain barrels & Composters sales.
- Pick up after pets.
- Repair fluid leaks on vehicles.
- More information for homeowners:
New & Existing Developments
- Conserve natural areas
- Riparian buffers
- Porous pavement
- Infiltration basins & trenches
- More information regarding developments:
Municipalities
- Street sweeping
- Mark storm drains
- Street design
- Grassed swales
