Stormwater Management

Stormwater Defined
Stormwater is water that flows overland during a precipitation event and does not soak into the ground or evaporate. Paved areas, such as driveways, roof tops, parking lots, and streets contribute to the amount of storm water that flows through a city as these surfaces are typically impervious and keep precipitation from seeping into the soil and recharging groundwater supplies.

In more urbanized areas, stormwater can pick up surface pollutants. Stormwater flows into the city's storm sewer system, ultimately ending in lakes and streams, which are all affected and must therefore be managed.

Stormwater: For Kids!

If you would like your child to know more about water, stormwater, and other related resources, check out the Nonpoint Source Kids page of the EPA website. There are interactive games too!

Keep our Roads and Water Clean

According to Municipal Code Sections 220.650, 220.720, & 245.160, residents are required to dispose of their own yard waste properly.  Raking or blowing leaves into the street creates traffic hazards, such as slippery or unsafe obstructions for traffic (especially motorcycles and bicycles) and environmental hazards, such as carrying road contaminants downstream through the storm drain and eventually into our drinking supply, rivers, and lakes.  Also, a clogged catch basin can create neighborhood flooding issues.

The easiest way to keep our neighborhoods clean, people safe, and protect our waterways is to clean up and properly dispose of yard waste.