Stormwater strategies : community responses to runoff pollution

This report documents strategies being employed by communities in the United States to control urban runoff pollution, which is among the top sources of water contamination in the country. The collection of 100 case studies is intended to serve as a guide for local decision makers, municipal officials, and environmental activists; it is also a resource for citizens concerned about the quality of their local environment. The report was published in the light of new national legislation requiring also smaller municipalities to develop stormwater plans. It begins with a description of the causes and consequences of stormwater runoff, which include increased flooding, stream channel degradation, habitat loss, changes in water temperature, contamination of water resources, and increased erosion and sedimentation. The case studies are organized by region according to general rainfall patterns. Within each of the regions, case studies are further subdivided into five categories of stormwater measures: (1) addressing stormwater in new development and redevelopment; (2) promoting public education and participation; (3) controlling construction site runoff; (4) detecting and eliminating improper or illegal connections and discharges; and (5) implementing pollution prevention for municipal operations. Some of the keys to successful strategies were: pollution prevention, use of natural treatment processes, accountability, dedicated funding sources, strong leadership, and effective administration. A separate chapter on low-impact development has been added, focusing on the source control approach and the use of micro-scale integrated management practices such as rainwater harvesting.