Stormwater FAQs
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is rainwater that runs over the surface of the ground and isn’t absorbed into the ground where it first falls. Other sources of stormwater include snowmelt or over-watering by irrigation systems.
Why does it matter?
Stormwater can pose several problems: flooding can be a result of too much stormwater flowing over the ground surface too quickly and overwhelming waterways. Pollution is the result of stormwater washing materials such as pet waste, soil, motor oil, lawn clippings, etc. into the waterways in quantities that damage the health of the waterway.
Why is stormwater a problem now?
As our community has grown, naturally vegetated areas such as forests and wetlands have been developed into homes, schools, businesses and roadways. Rainwater cannot soak into the ground when roofs and pavement cover it so it runs off as stormwater. More and more development means more stormwater. Since stormwater washes over hard, smooth surfaces such as roofs, it moves more quickly. Eventually, flooding may occur with even small rainstorms in developed areas.
What is a watershed?
A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is all the land that drains into a creek, pond, river or ocean. Larger bodies of water have larger watersheds, which are made up of smaller watersheds. James City County contains 11 watersheds that flow into either the James River or the York River. Both the James and the York Rivers are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay watershed covers 64,000 square miles and receives water from six states, as far north as New York State and as far west as West Virginia.
What is hardened surface?
What is impervious cover?
Any land that has been improved with building or roadway construction will contain hardened surfaces, also known as impervious cover. Land in its natural state is covered by vegetation, trees, shrubs and or grass. Rainwater can soak into the ground and is used by the plants. When land is improved, there are roofs, driveways, patios, sidewalks, and swimming pools in place of the vegetation. These surfaces prevent the rainwater from soaking into the ground and force the rainwater to run over the ground as stormwater. These surfaces are known as impervious because they are hardened and rain cannot soak into the ground.
What is a BMP?
BMP is short for “best management practice.” A Best Management Practice or BMP is any schedule of activities, physical structure or facility, maintenance procedure, or other management activity intended to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants to our waterways. BMPs can be either an activity, such as limiting the use of fertilizers, or a structure, such as a detention pond. BMPs are used to counteract the impacts of development on our natural environment.
What can I do to help protect our watersheds?
The PRIDE (Protecting Resources in Delicate Environments) Web site at www.protectedwithpride.org describes several steps that anyone can do to help our watersheds:
- Reduce pesticides and herbicides in your landscape.
- Use chemical fertilizers sparingly.
- Use or dispose of grass clippings.
- Plant instead of pave.
- Redirect runoff from roofs, patios and driveways.
- Don’t water your driveway.
- Leave the storm drains for the storms.
- Be a responsible pet owner.