What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is water that comes from precipitation and ice/snow melt – it either soaks into exposed soil or remains on top of impervious surfaces, like pavement or rooftops. Stormwater will eventually evaporate off of a level surface, but most often it flows as runoff to another location. While runoff is flowing to a storm drain or nearby water body, it picks up pollutants along its path. This runoff can cause stream impairment, flooding, pollution, fish & wildlife habitat loss, soil erosion, and reduced groundwater levels.
THERE ARE VARYING DEGREES OF “DIRTY” WHEN IT COMES TO STORMWATER.
In the diagram below, you’ll see various stormwater characteristics/contaminants with corresponding method(s) of treatment.
If your stormwater issue falls in the detention and/or passive BMPs sections, you could try treating the stormwater on your own. We’ve created several project instruction sheets for do-it-yourself best management practices. We call them #DIYBMPs, and all seven are available here for complimentary download. You’ll notice each sheet lists target contaminants, estimated flow, a cost estimate to complete, a list of necessary parts and suggestions of where to purchase those parts locally.
PASSIVE WATER TREATMENT NOT MEETING STORMWATER REQUIREMENTS?
Not all stormwater can be effectively treated with passive options – that’s where WaterTectonics comes in. Below is a small sampling of industries that we serve.
RESOURCES
Some state and local governments have enacted their own stormwater management laws & requirements that exceed federal requirements. To learn more about specific stormwater requirements in your area, we suggest visiting the following resources:
National
- EPA NPDES Program in Your Region
- EPA Regulatory Information by Industry Sector
- Frequently Asked NPDES Questions
- NPDES Technical Resources, Applications & Forms
West
- The Washington Stormwater Center
- Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (ECOSS)
- AGC WA Education Foundation – Stormwater Management Classes
- Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies
- Oregon Department of Transportation Stormwater Management Class
- CA State Water Resources Control Board
- UCSD Industrial Stormwater Compliance Workshop
Central
- Colorado Stormwater Center
- Utah County Stormwater Coalition
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Omaha Stormwater Program
- Alliance for the Great Lakes
- Kansas Water Office
- Ohio Stormwater Association
East
- Chesapeake Bay Program
- Chesapeake Stormwater Network
- New England Water Environment Association
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Southeast Watershed Alliance
- Southeast Stormwater Association
- Gulf of Mexico Alliance
- Louisiana Urban Stormwater Coalition