Stormwater Maintenance

Landowner Resources for Neighborhood Stormwater Facility Maintenance

Washington County hosted two in-person and one virtual informational session to talk to landowners about stormwater runoff and practices in their neighborhoods that capture stormwater runoff. Confused? Click on the recorded video above to watch the informational session!

Stormwater runoff is rainwater that does not infiltrate/soak into the ground. It is rainwater that flows over grass, bare ground, driveways, roads, roofs, through gutters before flowing into storm drains or the nearest waterway. Since stormwater runoff flows over multiple surfaces before it gets to a storm drain or waterway, it can pick up excess pollutants such as dirt, grease, and trash before entering a storm drain or waterway. Storm drains deliver large volumes of water to streams much faster than would occur naturally, resulting in flooding and bank erosion. Stream inhabitants such as fish, salamanders, or mussels are stressed, displaced, or killed by the warm, fast moving water and the sediment or pollutants it brings with it.

Stormwater practices such as stormwater retention ponds and infiltration basins collect stormwater runoff and capture sediment and other pollutants carried by stormwater runoff. These practices act as a filter, and cleaner water is then slowly discharged to a waterway. Stormwater practices are a key piece in keeping Washington Counties waterway’s clean and healthy as they intercept potentially harmful stormwater runoff from directly flowing into a nearby waterway.

If you have a stormwater practice in your neighborhood, click on the above “Guidelines for Maintenance” links to see how you can help keep your stormwater practice functioning and doing its job to keep our waters clean!

Katie Wilson 262-208-8076, [email protected]