Stormwater
Managing water quality through smart design
Flooding, erosion, and pollution from stormwater runoff impact communities and local waterways. Thoughtful stormwater management, like rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavement, helps water soak into the ground naturally, reducing flood risks and keeping pollutants out of rivers and streams.
Conservation districts provide technical support to help homeowners, businesses, and local governments implement stormwater solutions that work for their landscapes.
How to Improve Stormwater Management:
- Install rain gardens to absorb and filter runoff.
- Use permeable pavement for driveways and walkways.
- Create bioswales to capture and slow water from streets and rooftops.
- Landscape with native plants to improve soil absorption and reduce erosion.
- Wash cars on grass or at a commercial car wash to prevent soap and chemicals from running into storm drains.
- Pick up pet waste to prevent bacteria from contaminating local waterways.
- Never pour chemicals, oil, or yard waste down storm drains. Only rain belongs in the drain!
Explore Conservation Resources
An educational program designed to teach children about marine ecosystems and the importance of ocean conservation.
How's My Waterway is an EPA tool that provides land managers with detailed information on the health of local waterways, including data on water quality, permitted discharges, and restoration efforts. By entering a specific location, users can access community-level insights to inform land management decisions and support effective water resource planning.
The International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database is a comprehensive resource for land managers seeking data on the performance and effectiveness of various stormwater management practices. It offers access to over 700 BMP studies, performance summaries, and monitoring guidance, facilitating informed decision-making for effective stormwater management.
The EPA's National Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Stormwater provides land managers with a comprehensive collection of strategies to effectively manage stormwater runoff. This resource includes detailed fact sheets on various BMPs, offering guidance on implementation, effectiveness, and applicability to assist in developing and enhancing stormwater management programs.
This organization collaborates with educators to integrate field-based science and real-world projects into curricula, promoting environmental and sustainability education.
Dedicated to water education, Project WET provides educators with resources, workshops, and activities designed to teach students about water's critical role in our world.
Developed by Washington State University, this resource addresses stormwater management challenges in rural areas. It provides guidance on managing water through detention, conveyance, and dispersion methods, along with fact sheets, demonstration projects, and videos to help rural residents mitigate flooding and drainage issues.
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