Storm Water Management

WHAT ARE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES?

Storm water management structures are structures designed to collect and control runoff from precipitation that falls on the land. Many of these structures are ponds like the one pictured above. Other types of storm water management structures include underground storage structures, usually located under parking lots in commercial areas, and curbside inlets that remove oil and grit from storm water runoff. There are approximately 2,500 storm water management structures located throughout Howard County.

WHY DO WE NEED TO MANAGE STORM WATER?

As land is developed, and wooded and grassed areas are covered with roads, homes and businesses, precipitation is not able to percolate into the ground and flow naturally into the nearby rivers and streams as it had before the development. This increases the amount of storm water that runs off the land into our streams, and can result in eroded stream banks and damaged wildlife habitats.

With proper storm water management, rainwater runoff is directed to a local storm water management structure where it can be managed by storing excess runoff and slowly releasing it into our nearby streams. As storm water is stored in these structures, sediment and other pollutants have an opportunity to settle out, thus improving water quality. Some types of storm water management structures allow direct infiltration of the collected runoff into the ground.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION

The Storm Water Management Division's responsibilities include the inspection of the storm water structures in the county. Generally, the maintenance of residential storm water management structures is also the responsibility of the County. Privately owned structures, mostly in commercial areas, must be maintained by the property owner.

The SWM Division recently wrote a document titled,"Maintaining your Storm Water Management Structure," which can be viewed here as a .pdf file. The manual describes types of structures and discusses the frequency of inspection and maintenance.

Every April, the Storm Water Management Division sponsors a cleanup of a stormwater pond. Click here to see pictures of this years cleanup at Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, Maryland.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Storm water management ponds, can provide unique opportunities for fostering stewardship of the environment. In addition to providing storm water control, ponds can offer habitats for geese, turtles, and other wildlife.

Communities can enhance the ponds in their communities and make for cleaner local streams and the Chesapeake Bay by:

• picking up trash around the pond,
  
  
• not dumping grass clippings or leaves on or into pond,
  
  
• limiting the use of lawn fertilizers and herbicides on their lawns that can then run off into the pond,
  
  
• not disturbing vegetated areas around the pond,
  
  
• not discarding chemicals, such as antifreeze and motor oil, down storm drains,
  
  
• not washing their cars in their driveways.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Questions regarding maintenance of County maintained storm water facilities can be directed to the Bureau of Highways at (410) 313-7450.
  
  
• Questions regarding inspections of storm water facilities can be directed to Lou Geiser at the Storm Water Management Division (410) 313-6570.