Why stormwater?

Have you ever noticed what happens during and after a heavy downpour? Where does the water go AFTER THE RAIN? Remember the water cycle you learned about in school…

That natural water cycle is disturbed or interrupted in a developed landscape. Buildings, driveways, parking lots, decks, roofs – all of these block the natural return of rainwater to the groundwater. 

The stormwater runoff carries with it all kinds of pollutants from trash, pet waste, soil erosion, pesticides and fertilizers, motor vehicle fluids and septic systems.  Stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairments to our waterways.