Stormwater runoff is a serious threat to streams, rivers, and the bay. Water quality is affected as stormwater carries sediment from upland erosion, nutrients from agricultural and residential fertilizers, and pollutants such as heavy metals and petrolium from roadways. Water quantity is also affected. As development progresses and more land is covered by impervious surfaces less water is able to infiltrate into the ground. There is less groundwater recharge and more surfacewater runoff. The volume of water running off the land overfills storm sewers, floods the landscape, and deepens and widens streams.

Our approach to stormwater management utilizes stormwater ponds, wetlands, and bioretention facilities to capture and treat stormwater runoff before it enteres our waterways. Wetlands are natural sponges that hold great quantities of water, filter sediments, uptake nutrients, and slowly release the captured water into the groundwater and into the atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation.

Bioretention/ Rain Gardens

Establishing a Stormwater Wetland Pond (slideshow)

This stormwater outfall structure in the Baltimore Harbor is designed to capture large debris.

Trash like this is typical in urban stormwater.

Facts About Stormwater

• Stormwater pollution is the #1 source of water pollution in the United States.

• The # 1 pollutant in stormwater by volume is sediment.

• Fewer than half of American dog owners pick up after their pets. Pet waste in stormwater pollutes water with nutrients and bacteria.

• One quart of motor oil disposed of improperly can create an oil slick two acres in size!

• Measured in acres, lawns would be the fifth largest U.S crop (after corn, soy, wheat, and hay).

• 5.7 million pounds of nitrogen and 4.2 million pounds of phosphorous are carried into the Bay via stormwater runoff from fertilized lawns and agricultural fields.

• Septic systems must be checked every year and pumped every 3 to 5 years. Many homeowners with septic tanks don’t know they have them!