Stormwater
Stormwater refers to rainwater or snowmelt that travels over impervious land surfaces as runoff. Stormwater Pollution results when this runoff picks up, carries and transports various pollutants (oil, grease, chemicals, dirt, sediment, nutrients, pathogens) along streets, drains, open channels, storm sewer systems, which is eventually discharged untreated into nearby water bodies. However, in combined sewer systems, stormwater flows with sewage to a wastewater treatment plant.
In urban areas, stormwater management is especially important due to decreases in natural land cover and the expansion of impervious surfaces like rooftops, sidewalks and roadways. These surfaces exacerbate runoff because they change the permeability of the landscape—preventing rainwater from soaking in or infiltrating the soil. Some of the impacts of stormwater include flooding, sewer overflows and nonpoint source pollution.
Stormwater is managed using storm sewers as well as best management practices, which include green infrastructure and low impact development.
Latest News
WEF Forms Stormwater Committee
At WEFTEC 2011, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) Board of Trustees voted to sunset the Stormwater Coordinating Council (SWCC) and form a Stormwater Committee (SWC). Unlike a council, WEF committees are made up of volunteer members tasked with developing technical products and programming. The SWC will lead WEF’s efforts to encourage innovative approaches, sound management strategies, policy engagement and enhanced public outreach for stormwater professionals. “WEF recognizes the importance of stormwater management in the compliment of professionals addressing the challenging water quality issues of this century,” said new Stormwater Committee Chair Mike Beezhold. “I am honored and excited to serve as the Chair for this new committee, which reflects a renewed commitment and vision for the future of stormwater management.”
The SWC will be co-chaired by Wing Tam with help from Tad Slawecki, past vice chair of the SWCC. More Information │ Join Online
Stormwater Symposium 2012 Call for Abstracts is Now Open
Submit your abstract by Oct. 26 for the Stormwater Symposium, July 18–20, 2012, in Baltimore, Maryland’s Inner Harbor. The 2-day event, hosted in cooperation with the Chesapeake Water Environment Association, will bring together practitioners, regulators, academics, manufactures, and visionaries to network and exchange information on challenges, successes, and opportunities related to stormwater. A detailed call for abstracts and submittal tool can be found online.
Innovation Update
WEF Holds Future of Stormwater Meeting
In June, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) convened a brainstorming session in Alexandria with stormwater experts from across the country, including representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The purpose of the session was to discuss the future of stormwater and to find ways that WEF can most effectively educate, advocate, and collaborate in the realm of stormwater. Read more >>
A summary of the major points to come out of this meeting are listed here.
Upcoming Events
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The Stormwater Report
The Stormwater Report is a monthly e-newsletter to highlight advanced practices, cutting-edge research, policy updates, and current events pertaining to stormwater.
Current Understanding of the Proposed Stormwater Rule
New - August 2011
EPA is expected to release a new stormwater rule by the end of September. WEF understands that the proposed rule is expected to include, a proposed performance standards for post-construction discharges from new development and redevelopment projects; revisions to MS4 boundaries and extensions of the permitting program to currently unregulated dischargers; retrofit programs for targeted urban areas; a transportation-specific permit program (TS4); and the application of stormwater regulations to include combined sewers systems.
Green Infrastructure: Economic, Social, Technical, and Policy Overview From the Regulatory, Academic, and Consulting Viewpoint
A WEF webcast presented June 29, 2011
Clipping Stormwater Pollution
WE&T May 2011
Faced with the challenge of meeting strict new limits on nutrient loads in Chesapeake Bay, watershed managers are taking aim at stormwater runoff.
From roof, to reuse, to land
WE&T May 2011
An organic farming institute incorporates stormwater and wetlands wastewater treatment in its new restroom facility
Stormwater Management: The Next Frontier
WE&T April 2011
After languishing for decades in relative obscurity behind its drinking water and wastewater counterparts, stormwater management is assuming greater importance for many municipalities and utilities
Design of Urban Runoff Controls (coming soon!)
Opportunities for Involvement
WEF Committees: