Question 20. How are stormwater and runoff “managed”?

Answer 20. “Best management practices” or BMPs is a term used to describe different ways to keep pollutants out of runoff and to slow down high volumes of runoff. Preventing pollution from entering water is much more affordable than cleaning polluted water. Educating residents about how to prevent pollution from entering waterways is one of many best management practices. Regulations that require people and businesses involved in earth disturbing activities, like construction and agriculture, to take steps to prevent erosion are another way to prevent stormwater pollution. There are also laws about litter, cleaning up after pets and dumping oil or other substances into storm drains. Education, laws, and construction codes are just a few best management practice examples.

In many instances, BMPs are physically constructed to protect specific areas. BMPS can be designed to slow down stormwater in order to reduce erosion, while others help reduce the pollutants already in it. There are also BMPs that do both. Good examples of constructed BMPs would be stormwater basins you see in neighborhoods, shopping centers, and industrial sites. Detention ponds fill up quickly after a rainstorm and allow solids like sediment and litter to settle at the pond bottom. Then, they slowly release water which is now less polluted into our streams, ponds, and rivers. These ponds are one example of a constructed BMP. Stream buffers, storm drain grates, filter strips, sediment fences, underground detention systems, and permeable paving are other examples.  Here are some pictures of recent constructed BMPs:



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These are before and after pictures of an erosion control BMP recently constructed at Guilford Road.


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These are before and after pictures of a recently constructed stream restoration BMP.


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Show All Answers

1. Question 1. What is a stormwater utility?
2. Question 2. Why do we need a Stormwater Utility?
3. Question 3. What is the concern about stormwater quality?
4. Question 4. How is stormwater affected by increased pollutants?
5. Question 5. What is an impervious surface?
6. Question 6. What are some examples of drainage problems?
7. Question 7. Why do we need to spend more for stormwater?
8. Question 8. How is stormwater affected by increased runoff?
9. Question 9. Doesn't stormwater runoff go into the sanitary sewer?
10. Question 10. How do we establish the user fees?
11. Question 11. What is an ERU?
12. Question 12. Do tax exempt properties have to contribute?
13. Question 13. Are there any properties that are excluded from this fee?
14. Question 14. My property is not connected to the County's drainage system. Why should I have to pay?
15. Question 15. Why do I have to pay when I do not have any drainage problems?
16. Question 16. Do I have to pay for any unoccupied developed properties that I own?
17. Question 17. I am a renter; do I pay the fee or does my landlord?
18. Question 18. What services are funded by money collected from the Stormwater Utility fee?
19. Question 19. Will the stormwater user fee be offset by a reduction in the tax collected for the general fund?
20. Question 20. How are stormwater and runoff “managed”?
21. Question 21. Can I deduct the storm water fee on my taxes?
22. Question 22. How do I report a stormwater problem (drainage, flooding, pollution, etc.) or to ask questions about the Stormwater Utility?