Storm Water Department

Repairing and maintaining storm/rain water drains throughout the City. Activities include:

  • Street sweeping
  • Storm clean up
  • Out fall inspections
  • Composting of debris and leaves
  • All drainage issues that concern residents both residential and commercial

Permit Number INR040063

Runoff

Runoff from storm events is part of the natural hydrologic process. Rainwater that does not infiltrate into the ground flows into water bodies such as creeks, streams, rivers and lakes.

In suburban areas, the storm water runoff often has the benefit of passing through naturally vegetated areas, which slows down the velocity of the water and ultimately filters it for pollutants and sediments. In urban settings, however, natural vegetation and topography have frequently been altered, and storm water is most often carried by storm drain pipes. 

When the drainage pattern of a watershed is so altered, flows increase in concentration and velocity and pick up sediments and pollutants from land surfaces at an increased rate. Stormwater that flows through urbanized areas to receiving waters is called "urban storm water runoff."

Pollutants

Urban runoff is known to carry a wide range of pollutants including:

  • Heavy metals
  • Nutrients
  • Pathogens
  • Petroleum hydrocarbons
  • Sediments
  • Synthetic organics such as pesticides
  • Trash and debris

Community Impacts

Because urban runoff does not originate from a distinct "point" source (e.g, an industrial discharge pipe), it is also often referred to as nonpoint source pollution. These pollutants in urban runoff could negatively impact the vitality of our municipality on many levels. 

Urban runoff can:

  • Alter the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water bodies to the detriment of aquatic and terrestrial organisms
  • Make beaches and rivers unsightly or unsafe for human contact
  • Negatively impact beneficial activities and users including water recreation, commercial fishing, tourism and aquatic habitat

In some cases, pollutants of concern may not even be visible to the naked eye.

Combined Sewer Overflows Notifications

Get email notifications about Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) in Fort Wayne and New Haven.