Stormwater Management Planning: Does it Matter? Erica Benson In the 1990s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended the Clean Water Act to address a growing problem—the lack of proper stormwater management planning. “Why does stormwater planning matter?” you may be thinking. Well, did you know that in the 1970s two-thirds of the waters in the United States were unsafe for fishing and swimming? Stormwater runoff was one of the main sources of this pollution, which is why the Clean Water Act requires many municipalities to create a stormwater management plan to ensure that debris, pollutants, and chemicals from storm sewers and construction sites do not find their way to the nation’s waters.
What is a Stormwater Management Plan? A stormwater management plan helps to reduce pollution and contamination by controlling runoff of rainwater or melted snow. There are two different kinds of stormwater plans: S Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. This is a temporary plan designed to mitigate any stormwater issues created by a construction project. S Stormwater Management Plan. This kind of plan is created by a variety of entities, most notably, municipalities that have a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), rather than a combined sewer and stormwater system. This article will primarily focus on stormwater management plans.
Why is it Critical to Manage Stormwater? Developing the land disrupts nature. This disruption affects stormwater when it limits and impedes the natural flow of water and the ground’s ability to soak it up. Additionally, as this occurs, water runoff becomes contaminated. As water rolls over any impermeable surfaces (e.g., rooftops, roads, sidewalks, etc.), harsh chemicals in these locations can pollute the water. If and when these chemicals reach local natural waterbodies, they can harm and potentially kill any plants or wildlife nearby. Furthermore, humans can also end up at risk because these waterbodies can be sources of drinking water. Even the smallest storm can create water runoff problems, which is why managing runoff is essential through a stormwater management plan.
What Are the Main Problems That Stormwater Runoff Can Create? The top problems created by stormwater runoff include: Pollution Pollution occurs when water flows over impervious surfaces and collects the chemicals on top of them. Because developed areas host countless harmful substances, they can cause severe damage if they enter a natural body of water. When this occurs, ecosystems suffer and drinking water is contaminated.
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Erosion Water flows off impervious surfaces and forms new paths. Whenever water moves over land it never has before, it can cause deterioration. This may also be detrimental to both ecosystems and local communities. Flooding Stormwater runoff can overflow drainage ditches, sewage systems, and storm drains unless there is proper management in place. This flooding can be inconvenient—if not dangerous. Turbidity Even if water finds land that can absorb it, it may increase sedimentation. This is called turbidity, or muddiness, which ruins nearby land. Infrastructure Damage All of the issues mentioned (flooding, erosion, pollution, and turbidity) can wreak havoc on the local infrastructure.
What Are the Goals of a Stormwater Management Plan? The goals of a stormwater management plan include: S Reducing flood damage (including damage to life and property). S Minimizing any increase in stormwater runoff from new development. S Reducing soil erosion from development or construction projects. S Assuring the adequacy of existing and
