These are some Best Management Practices (or “things we can do”) to manage stormwater runoff. Can you think of others?
Structural BMPs - man made systems created and designed to control the quality or quantity of storm water runoff.
Non Structural BMPs - pollution prevention, education and outreach practices that can lessen the impact of stormwater runoff and prevent pollutants from entering waterbodies.
Structural BMPs
- Infiltration areas capture runoff and it infiltrates into the ground. Follow this link to an external website for general landscaping strategies
- Detention ponds capture runoff and temporarily retain the water, but will release the water eventually. Detention systems do not have a permanent pool of water between runoff events.
- Rain gardens: Here is some information on how to create a rain garden.
Rain Garden Manual: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (.pdf file)
Rain Garden Manual: River Center, University of Georgia (.pdf file)
- Rain barrels: Follow this link to show you how to build and install a rain barrel. This brochure was created by the South River Federation and the Center for Watershed Protection, August, 2002 (.pdf file)
- Retention ponds capture the runoff and retain the water until it is displaced in part or in total by the next runoff event. Retention systems maintain a significant permanent pool of water between runoff events.
- Constructed wetlands are similar to retention and detention systems, except that the water surface area or bottom contains wetland vegetation. You can build a backyard wetland.
How to Build a Backyard Wetland (.pdf file)
Backyard Conservation Tips External website of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA).
Backyard Conservation External website of NRCS
- Filtration materials for example sand, soil, organic material, or carbon can be used to channel water through and remove pollutants found in runoff.
- Vegetated systems (biofilters) such as swales and filter strips are designed to convey and treat either shallow flow (swales) or sheetflow (filter strips) runoff.
- Low Impact Development (LID): The website for the low impact development (LID) sustainable school project is designed for both teachers, students. External website of the Low Impact Development Center.
1. Educate the public on ways to reduce pollutants in runoff:
a. Spills and leaks: All spills or leaks should be cleaned up using a dry absorbent such as cat litter or other absorbent material and disposed of appropriately;
b. Car washing: Wash cars away from storm drains, in grassy areas, and biodegradable cleaners, or at a commercial carwash;
c. Fluid leaks: Repair fluid leaks as soon as possible to reduce loss to the environment.
d. Fertilizer application: Proper application of fertilizers can help to reduce the quantities of nutrients reaching receiving waters.
e. Use and disposal of household hazardous materials.
f. Yard waste: Yard debris can clog storm drains. Grass trimmings, yard waste and leaf litter can be controlled by composting or by community curbside collection programs.
g. Pet Waste Disposal: Pet waste deposited on yards, sidewalks and streets can be carried by runoff into storm drains.
2. Outreach and education to commercial businesses and retail areas on practicing:
a. Good housekeeping: This includes using porous pavement for vehicle parking lots; limiting exposure of materials and equipment to rainfall; spill cleanup, using dry cleanup techniques instead of wet techniques; and limiting direct runoff of rooftops to storm drains.
3. Involve the public in stormwater activities:
a. Storm Drain Stenciling: Since storm drains frequently discharge runoff directly to water bodies without receiving any type of treatment, storm drain stenciling programs that educate residents not to dump materials into storm drains or onto sidewalks, streets, parking lots and gutters can be effective at reducing nonpoint source pollution associated with illegal dumping.
b. Adopt a stream program
c. Annual or semi-annual community household hazardous waste collection program can help to reduce the amounts of these materials that enter storm water runoff.