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?

We need to manage storm water because development removes wooded and grassed areas and replaces them with roads, homes and businesses. Storm water is not able to percolate into these impervious structures and cannot flow naturally into the nearby rivers and streams. Instead, development increases the flow and force of stormwater thus resulting in increased and unnatural flows into our stream banks. This can lead to erosion, damaged wildlife habitats, and flooding.

With proper storm water management, rain water is directed into a local storm water management structure where it is stored and slowly released 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.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT DIVISION

The Storm Water Management Division's responsibilities include the inspection of all storm water structures in the County. Additionally, the Division maintains approximately 500 stormwater structures. Generally speaking, the maintenance of storm water management structures is usually dictated by the maintenance agreement that the County has with the property owner. However, privately owned structures that are located in commercial areas are 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.

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.