Northern Kentucky's lakes, streams, rivers, and farms all depend on the replenishing waters of annual precipitation. However, when rain falls and flows over land and impervious areas such as paved streets and parking lots, it can pick up pollutants. Motor oil, paint products, pet wastes and chemicals we use in our homes and gardens are washed into street gutters and storm drains by rain water, water from lawn irrigation and from hosing down sidewalks and driveways.
This mix of rain and other water is called runoff. Runoff and its pollutants flow untreated through the storm drain system into local creeks and flood control channels and then directly into the Licking and Ohio Rivers, where it can harm wildlife and ruin recreation areas.
Storm water management refers to the development of effective programs and policies that preserve or enhance the quality of storm water runoff, control the quantity of storm water runoff, reduce erosion and prevent flooding. Prior to 1990, storm water management focused on controlling the quantity of runoff from developed areas. Today, localities are required to address the quality of storm water as well.
Storm water runoff is considered to be one of the most significant sources of pollution to our nation’s waterways. For this reason, the Federal Government now requires communities across the nation to develop a storm water management program. Virtually all Northern Kentucky communities are required to comply with these unfunded storm water regulations, and Sanitation District No. 1 has assisted them with the development of a cooperative storm water management program for the region.
