Storm Water 101

What is storm water?

Storm water is the runoff from rainfall and snow melt. In undeveloped areas such as grasslands and forests, much of the rainfall and snow melt soaks into the ground. Vegetation helps to slow runoff. In urban areas, buildings and other impervious surfaces such as parking lots do not allow water to soak into the ground resulting in both increased amounts of runoff and faster flow. Along the way, runoff can pick up pollutants such as fertilizers and pesticides from yards, motor oil from leaking cars, pet waste, and dirt from construction sites. This can cause downstream waterways to become polluted.

Did you know...

The City's storm water drainage system is separate from the sanitary sewer system (indoor sinks, toilets, etc). The sanitary sewer system drains to the City's two wastewater treatment plants while the storm water system drains to area streams, rivers, and lakes.

What does the storm water drainage system consist of?

A variety of structures and land forms, both natural and artificial, are considered to be part of the storm water drainage system. These include street gutters, storm drains, pipes, grass and concrete channels, earth berms, ditches, box culverts, streams, detention basins, and even sinkholes. All of these are part of the course which storm water runoff travels on its way out of urban areas and into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes.

Why is storm water management important?

Good storm water management benefits citizens and the community by reducing potential flood hazards and protecting area waterways. Flood control and water quality best management practices are required on new developments. The City's storm water managent program also includes construction of storm water improvement projects to address flooding and enhance water quality as well as public education, investigation of pollution, and other activities which the City is required to implement under its federally-mandated storm water permit.