STORMWATER BASICS

 

Managing STorm WAter in Our Community

Storm water can pose a risk to our water resources. Pollutants in storm water can impact lakes, streams and rivers. New programs to control storm water pollution are being adopted by our community.

 

What is Storm Water Runoff?

Storm water runoff is rainfall or snowmelt that runs off impervious surfaces like roads, buildings, and compacted soils. Storm water runoff is collected and conveyed through storm sewers directly into streams, rivers, and lakes without being treated.

 

The Problem

Pollutants accumulate on impervious surfaces between rainfall events.  Frequent, small rains wash pollutants into streams, rivers, and lakes.  These pollutants negatively impact water quality. 

 

As communities grow, impervious areas increase. Greater impervious surfaces cause the volume and rate of stormwater runoff to increase. This can result in flooding, stream channel degradation, and increased water pollution in our surface waters. 

 

Storm Water Managment

The traditional approach to storm water management focuses primarily on flood control. Today, our city is required to manage for both water quality and quantity by using practices that infiltrate more rainfall and reduce the volume of storm water runoff. 

 

Storm Water Regulations in our City

To comply with new federal regulations, our city is required to implement a new storm water management program.  Some requirements include:

  1. Managing storm water runoff for water quality protection,
  2. Reducing sediment loss from construction sites,
  3. Developing ordinances to meet program goals,
  4. Inspecting storm drain outlets for unwanted discharges, and
  5. Providing public education and involvement.

 

Awareness & Responsibility

Daily activities can impact water quality. Most rainfall drains untreated to streams and lakes through storm drains in neighborhoods. There are many ways you can prevent storm water pollution:

 

  1. Wash your car at a carwash or on the lawn, not the driveway,
  2. Re-direct roof drains to gardens or other vegetated areas,
  3. Properly dispose of all hazardous household waste
  4. Minimize use of fertilizers, and
  5. Clean up after your pets.

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If you have a stormwater issue, please call the City of Sergeant Bluff on-call maintenance number at 203-0206.

To report a concern or to file a complaint, click HERE.

For more information visit http://www.iowastormwater.org