Urban Stormwater

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What is Urban Stormwater?

When it rains, or the snow melts in Utah, where do you think all the water goes? Does it soak into the ground? Does it sit in puddles until it evaporates? The water actually does both of these things. Some of the water will also flow over the land surface, heading downhill to the nearest stream or ditch. We call this stormwater runoff.

In cities and towns, the water can't soak through the pavement, rooftops, and concrete, like it can into the soil. This means that there's more stormwater runoff in cities than in forests and fields. The water flows off impervious surfaces such as driveways, rooftops, sidewalks, and parking lots, and usually flows straight into a storm drain. These grates in the road connect to pipes which carry the water directly to your local stream or lake.

The percent of impervious surface in a small watershed is a good indicator of potential water quality impacts in streams draining that area. The streams in watersheds with more than 10% impervious cover will probably have impacted water quality. The more impervious cover, the greater the risk.

What can we do to reduce water quality impacts of stormwater?

Vehicles

Wash your car on your lawn or use a commercial car wash to minimize dirty soapy water flowing into storm drains
Check vehicles, boats and other machinery for leaks and make repairs as soon as possible
Recycle used oil and other automotive fluids at service facilities

Garden and Lawn

Install a rain water harvesting system to prevent storm water runoff
Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly
Avoid application of fertilizers and pesticides if the forecast predicts rain in the near future
Landscape with native plants
Sweep up yard debris instead of washing it down
Compost or recycle yard waste when possible
Don't over water your lawn
Water during cool parts of the day

Home Repair and Improvement

Before beginning an outdoor project, locate the nearest storm drains and protect them from debris
Sweep up and properly dispose of excess construction material
Use hazardous materials (e.g. paints and cleaners) in the smallest amounts possible and if spilled clean up immediately
Use nontoxic, biodegradable and recycled material whenever possible
Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area on your property

Other

Pick up and properly dispose of pet wastes
If you have a septic system, have it inspected at least every 3 years
Don't flush harmful chemicals or items that may clog septic systems
If you own a pool, only drain it when a test kit does not detect chlorine levels

What is being done on the global, national, state and local levels?

International Stormwater BMP Database