During rainfall events, water drains off of roadways and adjacent properties. Water from residential sump pump discharge lines is pumped to the ground surface and must also be collected. This rain water is collected in roadway storm drains, rear yard storm drains, and drainage ditches to be discharged into one of the many local streams and rivers in the city. In many subdivisions, this water flows through a detention system (basin or pond) which controls the rate of the release (quantity) of this water to prevent flooding.

Climate Change Impacts:

In the Midwest, increases in heavy precipitation events can affect the quality of stormwater discharges. Heavy downpours can increase the amount of runoff into rivers and lakes, washing more sediment, nutrients, trash, animal waste, and other pollutants into recreation waters and water supplies. Increased stormwater runoff rates can also overload and potentially damage the infrastructure used to properly transport and discharge stormwater and wastewater.

More information on climate change and our water resources is available from USEPA’s Climate Change Impact information:  Climate Impacts

NPDES:

In addition, the management of water cleanliness (quality) is governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the National Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process. Property owners are encouraged to participate in environmentally conscience storm water management through the use of rain barrels, rain gardens, and the proper disposal of pet waste, oil, and other contaminants. Contaminants must never be dumped into a storm sewer drain as these contaminants directly affect the water quality of our streams and rivers.

What can you do?

Reduce / control personal use of chemicals:  Recommended Methods

Print / view Stormwater Educational Pamphlet:  Stormwater Runoff

Print / view Stormwater Educational Poster:  Stormwater Impacts