Stormwater Quality

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater runoff is precipitation that falls onto impervious surfaces such as roadways, driveways, parking lots and rooftops where it can accumulate pollutants, such as sediment, fertilizers, chemicals, oils, pet waste and trash. Instead of being absorbed into the ground, stormwater moves over these surfaces and makes its way into the drainage system and eventually into the Yampa River and its tributaries.

CSC Infographic
CSC Infographic - Spanish

Did You Know?

Unlike sanitary sewers that carry wastewater to treatment plants, storm drains like these convey stormwater directly to rivers, ponds, and streams without treatment.

Stenciling2013

Illicit Discharges

It is illegal to dump or discharge pollutants into waterways  Illicit Discharges may include fuel and chemical spills, hazardous material dumped along a roadway or into a storm drain, leaking dumpsters, discolored or foul smelling water, improper washing of concrete trucks, power washing to storm drains or waterbodies, leaking sanitary sewers, and other possibilities.

SWQ Discharge

Resources

What Can Your Household Do To Prevent Stormwater Pollution?

What Can Your Business Do To Prevent Stormwater Pollution?

What Does the City Do To Prevent Stormwater Pollution?

The city administers a municipal stormwater program in accordance with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4 Permit), to protect local waterways from pollutants found in urban stormwater runoff.

Program elements include:

  • Providing public education on stormwater quality and pollution prevention
  • Monitoring construction sites for erosion and sediment control
  • Requiring design standards for permanent water quality control measures
  • Assisting with response to spills or illicit discharges to the storm drainage system.
  • Implementing pollution prevention and best management practices for municipal operations.