Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow that runs off streets, lawns, and structures. When stormwater is absorbed into the soil, it is filtered and ultimately replenishes aquifers or flows into streams and rivers. Impervious surfaces (pavement and roofs) prevent stormwater from soaking into the ground, so water running into storm drains, ditches, and sewers can cause:

• Downstream flooding
• Stream bank erosion
• Increased turbidity or muddiness
• Habitat destruction
• Storm and sanitary sewer system overflows
• Infrastructure damage
• Contaminated waterways

Storm drains relocate excess water away from property and into local water sources, such as streams, rivers, and groundwater. Preventing items from flowing into storm drains not only protects waterways, it prevents costly and damaging actions to neighborhood structures. Only untainted rainwater or snow melt should flow into storm drains.

Preventing Stormwater Runoff Pollution

1. Never dump anything down a storm drain.
2. Pick up after your pet.
3. Check automobile for leaks and recycle motor oil.
4. Don’t litter and pick up trash.
5. Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up excess after application.
6. Compost yard waste and sweep up clippings out of gutters and streets after mowing.
7. Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.
8. Wash automobile at a commercial car wash that is plumbed to a treatment plant.
9. Use integrated pest management practices instead of pesticides.
10. Vegetate bare spots in the yard and terrace slopes to prevent erosion.

A retention pond is a body of water that is used to collect storm water runoff for the purpose of controlling the release of this runoff. Retention ponds have no outlets or streams, creek ditches, etc. Water collects and then is released through atmospheric phenomenon such as evaporation or infiltration.

A detention pond has an outlet such as a pipe that discharges water to a stream. A detention pond is a body of water that is used to collect storm water runoff for the purpose of controlling the release of this runoff. The pipe that a detention pond contains is sized to control the release rate of the storm water runoff. Lake Andrews is a detention pond.

Storm water detention ponds are widely used and are among the most effective storm water treatment practices. They remove pollutants by slowing the flow of water and holding long enough to allow sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants to settle out. They also help communities meet control measures required by state and federal laws.

In addition to removing pollutants, many are designed to create an aesthetic resource, wildlife habitat, or recreational area. However, they can pose unsafe conditions, such as unsafe winter ice, contaminated water, and unseen hazards such as large trash and debris.