Stormwater runoff is the flow of water that results from rainfall or snowmelt. Some of this water may infiltrate into the ground. The rest of the stormwater flows from impermeable surfaces (roofs, driveways, parking lots, streets, etc.) and saturated permeable surfaces (yards, swales, etc.) and becomes "stormwater runoff". Runoff flows to creeks and streams, either through swales and ditches or by entering the City's storm sewer system. The storm intakes are what you see along the curb and gutter of roadways. Storm intakes connect to storm sewers which ultimately lead to a discharge point such as detention basins or directly into our creeks and streams.
Storm water runoff tends to collect garbage, debris, sediment, chemicals, automotive fluids, and other pollutants. These contaminants in stormwater negatively impact the quality of our local creeks and streams. As urbanization occurs, less precipitation infiltrates into the ground and more stormwater runoff is generated. This can result in more frequent flooding, erosion, and stream degradation. When proper stormwater management is implemented, this runoff is directed to a stormwater management facility (detention basin) where it is temporarily stored and released at a rate equivalent to the conditions prior to development. When properly designed and maintained, stormwater management facilities significantly reduce the potential for downstream flooding conditions. Additionally, when this runoff is temporarily stored in a stormwater management facility these pollutants have the opportunity to settle out, thus improving the quality of the downstream waterway.
Federal laws regulating storm water runoff require the City to develop and implement a comprehensive storm water quality management program to protect and improve water quality.