Why all the recent fuss about stormwater?

The federal Clean Water Act requires large and medium sized towns across the United States to take steps to reduce polluted stormwater runoff. The law was applied in two phases: The first phase addressed large cities and the second phase, often referred to as ”Phase II,” requires medium and small cities, fast growing cities and those located near sensitive waters to take steps to reduce stormwater. These laws require applicable cities to do six things:

1. Conduct outreach and education about polluted stormwater runoff.
2. Provide opportunities for residents to participate and be involved in conversations and activities related to reducing polluted stormwater runoff.
3. Detect illicit discharges (e.g. straight piping or dumping).
4. Control construction site runoff.
5. Control post-construction runoff.
6. Perform municipal housekeeping (e.g. take steps to prevent runoff from city buildings and activities.)