S T O R M W A T E R

Stormwater is contaminated water that runs off impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and rooftops, as well as runoff from bare earth that is delivering excess sediment, nutrients and/or bacteria to surface waters. The CWU protects water quality by cleaning streets and treating the storm water runoff containing bacteria, nutrients, heavy metals, and gas/oil through facilities such as bioswales, rain gardens, and created wetlands. The risk of flooding is also reduced by properly cleaning, sizing, and routing pipe and ditch infrastructure to receiving waters. Development and land disturbing activities, including residential homes and commercial buildings, are required to manage their storm water as part of the land use permitting process.