What is Storm Water?
Storm water is the component of runoff that is generated by human activities.
Why is it important?
When vegetation and soils are replaced with roads and buildings, less rainfall infiltrates
into the ground, less gets taken up by vegetation and more becomes surface runoff.
This results in: more soil erosion, the alteration of riparian areas, an increase
in peak runoff, a reduction of stream base flows and an increase of pollutant inputs.
Is it a Resource?
Storm water is no longer seen as just a drainage or flood management issue but also
a resource for: fish and other aquatic species, groundwater recharge (for both stream
summer flow and for potable water), water supply (e.g. for livestock or irrigation)
and aesthetic and recreational uses.
To mitigate the cumulative impacts of storm water resulting from changes to the
natural water balance, the Regional District
prepared a Storm water Quality
Improvement Strategy for the Westside to better understand the issues and to implement
a strategy to correct storm water-related problems.
Link to More Detailed
Information on
Storm water Management.
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