Get Stormwaterone

Overall, however, the vast majority of EPA documentation uses the spelling of stormwater as a single word. Most of the webpages, permits and other current documents stick to stormwater, with storm water and storm-water (and stormater) only showing up occasionally.

A stormwater sewer is not treated; it goes directly to water body, pollutants and all. A sanitary sewer goes to the waste water treatment plant where the water goes through a complicated process where it is cleaned and released back into the water.

What Does Stormwater Mean? Stormwater is the rainfall that falls onto paved or other impermeable surfaces – roofs, parking lots, streets and driveways – and continues to flow onto and across the ground. If the stormwater is absorbed into the ground, it becomes groundwater.

Ditches and swales are two types of systems used to help reduce the flooding, soil erosion, and pollution typically caused by stormwater runoff. Both are similar in appearance, featuring wide, open channels. Swales, however, feature a more engineered design with gentle side slopes and flat, wide bottoms.

In what has become a source of much concern in a state prone to droughts and water shortages, the vast majority of rainwater in urban areas flows into storm drains and is eventually lost to the Pacific Ocean.

The purpose of this water system is to reduce the likelihood of flooding problems in local drainage areas, such as adjacent lakes and creeks.

What is the storm drainage system? It's a network of structures, channels and underground pipes that carry stormwater (rain water) to ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. The network consists of both public and private systems.