Stormwater Management

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water from rain, snow, and sleet. It travels down the gutter or off hard surfaces into the storm drain system and/or open drain ditches. Stormwater starts out clean. It is very rarely treated, unlike sewer. It is estimated that one-half of the pollutants in our waterways come from stormwater.

Where does stormwater end up?

Stormwater flows directly into our rivers, creeks, ponds, and lakes. In Plain City, it is a very short distance to these receiving waters. Stormwater collects everything in its path from the open land, roadways, parking lots, construction sites, driveways, gutters, storm drains, and ditches and it all ends up in our rivers, creeks, and lakes.

What can I put in the storm drain?

No chemicals of any kind should ever be put into the storm drain system, including gutters, catch basins, ditches, creeks, etc.! When someone does dispose of harmful items (gasoline, oil, antifreeze, paint products, pesticides, herbicides, etc.), they open themselves up to criminal prosecution, as well as a civil action obligating them for the cost of the cleanup. This will include all areas that it may affect downstream.

What about washing my car in the driveway?

When washing your vehicles or other equipment, use environmentally safe soaps. Keep the wash water and rinse water on the grass as much as possible. To reduce the impacts of runoff on urban streams, EPA expanded the Clean Water Act in 1987 to require municipalities to obtain permits for discharges of stormwater runoff. As a result, many communities have adopted regulations requiring developers to install stormwater management practices that reduce the rate and/or volume and remove pollutants from runoff generated on their development sites.