What is the primary goal of stormwater management?

The primary goal of stormwater management is to control and reduce the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff. This approach is essential for mitigating the negative impacts that stormwater can have on the environment, such as flooding, water pollution, and erosion. By effectively managing stormwater runoff, operators aim to maintain the integrity of water bodies, protect aquatic ecosystems, and ensure that local water supplies remain clean and safe for various uses.

Managing stormwater involves implementing strategies and practices that capture and treat runoff before it can enter water systems. This may include using green infrastructure, like bio-retention areas and permeable pavements, as well as traditional methods like detention basins. The focus is not just on controlling the volume of water but also on enhancing its quality, which involves removing pollutants like sediments, heavy metals, nutrients, and other hazardous substances that can be carried by rainwater as it flows over urban surfaces.

While increasing water usage in urban areas, enhancing property values, or eliminating all rainwater from flowing into storm drains might seem beneficial, they do not fundamentally address the core issue of managing stormwater runoff effectively for both urban areas and the natural environment.