Stormwater Protection Program

Stormwater is the flow of water that results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt.

When a rainfall event occurs, several things can happen to the precipitation. Some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants, and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. Stormwater is the rest of the precipitation that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas.

Stormwater discharges are generated by precipitation and runoff from land, pavements, building rooftops and other surfaces. These hardened surfaces are called ‘impervious surfaces’ and they do not allow rainfall to infiltrate into the soil surface like natural vegetation, so more of the rainfall becomes stormwater runoff. Storm water runoff accumulates pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land.

Its purpose is to prevent flooding of streets and highways by quickly and efficiently transferring rain water into creeks, and eventually the Chagrin River.

The sanitary sewer (toilets and sinks) and storm drain system are two completely different systems. The water that goes down sinks or toilets in homes or businesses flows to the local Wastewater Treatment Plant, where it is treated before its release into the river. Water that flows down driveways and streets into a gutter goes into a storm drain that flows directly into a creek, and then into the Chagrin River. This water picks up pollutants along the way and does not receive any treatment to remove pollutants.

Each storm drain goes to the nearest creek outfall. As a result, stormwater is not collected into one location where it can be cleaned. Instead, it flows through hundreds of separate pipe systems, each emptying into the nearest creek. Preventing pollution at the source is a much more effective and less costly way to prevent stormwater pollution.

Stormwater runoff accumulates pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land and is then directed to streams, rivers and lakes.

Receiving waters: A river, ocean, stream, or other watercourse into which wastewater or treated effluent is discharged.

Sediment is often viewed as the largest pollutant load associated with stormwater runoff in an urban setting. The loadings have been shown to be exceptionally high in the case of construction activity. Sediment is associated with numerous impacts in surface waters including increased turbidity, effects on aquatic and benthic habitat and reduction in capacity of impoundments. A number of other pollutants often attach to, and are carried by, sediment particles.

Stormwater runoff accumulates pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land and is then directed to streams, rivers and lakes.

Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water. Polluted runoff is the nation’s greatest threat to clean water.

See the Public Education section of this website.

Storm drain stenciling is a great way to remind people that storm drains are for clean rain water only. It’s a visual reminder that pollution prevention is important.

No. Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing into the storm drain and eventually into your local water body.

When natural materials, such as yard trimmings, break down, oxygen is drawn from the water. In a natural setting the amount of this debris would be limited to the leaves of those plants and trees bordering creeks. However, in our urban setting, leaves and dirt on paved areas throughout the entire City are washed into creeks. A lot of natural debris can ruin the natural balance of the creeks, and harm fish.

In addition, pesticides, oil leaked onto roads and driveways, and other pollutants are scoured from all the paved surfaces throughout our City and washed directly into our creeks and ultimately the Chagrin River.

No. Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil-based paints. Properly dispose of excess paints through a household hazardous waste collection program, or donate unused paint to local organizations.

Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water. Polluted runoff is the nation’s greatest threat to clean water.

Call the City Service Department and report violations. This will allow the City to stop violations as quickly as possible.

Check out the attached fact sheet: The Solution to Stormwater Pollution: A homeowner’s guide to healthy habits for clean water.