When it rains, or when snow melts, water that is not soaked into the ground may run off lawns or pavement and go directly into a storm drain, and then straight into a nearby river or creek. This water is called stormwater and City Utilities is responsible for managing stormwater quality and quantity and is mandated by federal and state regulators to reduce the amount of pollution reaching our rivers. Through Catching Rain, City Utilities is taking an active role in reducing the amount of stormwater that reaches rivers and creeks.
There are a variety of ways that local homeowners and business owners can catch the rain and keep pollution out of the waterways. That’s what Catching Rain is all about — equipping you to reduce the amount of stormwater that reaches our rivers and creeks, resulting in less pollution and a healthier environment.
Rain gardens are man-made landscape features where stormwater runoff is allowed to collect and pond for a short period of time. Learn how you can create your own and how to participate in our incentive program.
Your lawn and garden activities can impact the quality of nearby bodies of water. Learn how stormwater runoff can carry pollutants and find out what you can do to protect stormwater quality in your own backyard.
Stormwater BMPs are used to control stormwater from developed property to contribute to cleaner, healthier waterways. Learn about your responsibilities as a property owner, how to maintain your BMP, and how we can help.
Protecting our environment from pollutants is an important priority, and we can all take action at home to make a difference. Here, we share several ways you can reduce stormwater pollution while creating a sustainable and eco-friendly home.
