|
Best management practices (BMPs) help control urban storm runoff by reducing runoff and improving water quality from storm events. BMPs include structural controls such as infiltration devices, ponds, filters and constructed wetlands, and non-structural controls such as maintenance practices, street sweeping, public education and outreach programs.
Congress mandated the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program as part of the Clean Water Act. The program requires the control and monitoring of point and non-point source pollution.
Past efforts to improve Arizona's water quality concentrated on controlling pollution from point sources (municipal or industrial facilities that discharge to state waters), and good progress has been made in controlling point-source pollution. Nevertheless, rivers, streams and ground waters continue to be degraded by pollutants that are carried in stormwater runoff. This kind of pollution is called "non-point source pollution."
Urban development can significantly impact watersheds by increasing runoff and pollutant loading. The Flood Control District developed the Erosion Control Manual to help local government officials, urban planners, the general public, developers and contractors understand and comply with AZPEDS permit and urban non-point source water pollution. The relationship between any storm event and stormwater runoff must be thoroughly understood. Best management practices (BMPs) that address the full range of hydrologic conditions should be employed to minimize impacts.
We hope that you will use this information to envision the many possibilities beyond simply moving or holding stormwater.
|
