As stated on the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination system (NPDES) website, stormwater discharges are generated by runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops during rainfall and snow events that often contain pollutants in quantities that could adversely affect water quality. The primary method to control stormwater discharges is through the use of Best Management Practices (BMP).  Stormwater pollution from Point sources and Nonpoint sources is a challenging water quality problem.  Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, which is caused by a discrete number of sources, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere.  Stormwater runoff may contain pollutants from lawn fertilizers, farms, construction activity, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and animal wastes that make there way to our ponds, creeks, rivers, and lakes.  

NESC "Pipeline" Winter 2010

The National Environmental Services Center - @ WVU published a very  interesting article in their Winter 2010 issue of the Pipeline newsletter.   The newsletter's main focus is on "Residential Runoff - Slow It Down, Keep It Clean".  Basically, the article gives ideas on how to protect the water quality of our communities.   Ideas include building rain gardens and/or using rain barrels; maintaining your septic system; reducing your water consumption; using household chemicals carefully; landscaping with nature; preventing automobile pollution; picking up after your pet.  Go to Residential Runoff to see article in PDF version.

Neighborhood Pond Maintenance

Does your neighborhood have a pond? See Neighborhood Pond Maintenance for ideas on how to maintain this neighborhood asset.

Use of Pervious Pavement & Rain Gardens

Stormwater runoff is water that runs down our driveways, streets, and off roofs and parking lots after a rain.  The City of Wichita is committed to improving the water quality of storm water runoff entering our streams and rivers.  Much of the runoff that drains into our streams contains impurities such as dirt, silt, trash, and chemicals from the areas being drained. 

One method of cleansing the storm water from paved areas is the use of "PERVIOUS PAVEMENT".   Most paved areas such as sreets and parking lots are made of materials like concrete or asphalt, which are IMPERVIOUS, meaning water wil not pass through them.  This causes all the rain that falls on them to run off the pavement and wash off into streams and rivers.  Pervious pavement is made with concrete that allows rainwater to drain through the pavement and into the ground below.  This lets the rainwater seep into the ground below where it is naturally filtered and cleansed of impurities.  This type of pavement helps us preserve our clean water resources. 

Another effective method of purifying storm water runoff is through the use of "RAIN GARDENS".  

A rain garden is a low area planted in special vegetation where storm water can collect.  Rain gardens are designed to absorb the first inch of storm water runoff.  These gardens help clean runoff by filtering it through vegetation, mulch and soil layers.  Rain garden plants, such as certain native wildflowers, ferns, shrubs and small trees, can live in wet soil but can also tolerate dry periods in between storms.

Through infiltration, evaporation, and absorption by the plants, rain gardens reduce the amount of storm water rushing down our creeks and rivers.  The gardens are a natural way of cleansing and conserving our water resources while helping to reduce flooding.

In 2009, the City constructed a project at the Wichita Area Treatment, Education and Remediation Center (W.A.T.E.R), 101 East Pawnee, to demonstrate how pervious pavement and rain gardens work and how they improve the quality of storm water runoff.  The project consists of a concrete parking lot paved partially with pervious concrete.  The parking lot is also designed to drain into an adjacent rain garden area.  By filtering the storm runoff through the pavement and soil and through the rain garden vegetation, the water is both cleansed and absorbed to help the soil retain valuable moisture and reduce flooding in our streams. 

To view pictures of the W.A.T.E.R. Center. go to WATER Center Porous Pavement & Rain Garden

Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices (BMP) means schedule of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of the Arkansas River and its tributaries. BMP practices also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage areas. To view images of both good and bad examples of BMP's intended to prevent or reduce the likelihood of pollutants entering storm sewers, ditches, or ponds, click BMP.