What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the flow of water that results from precipitation which occurs immediately following rainfall.  When a rainfall event occurs, some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. The rest of the precipitation that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas is stormwater.  

Stormwater deposited on impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, driveways, and parking lots cannot penetrate into the ground. This is known as stormwater runoff. While this runoff is flowing to a storm drain or a nearby waterway, it picks up pollutants along its path. Eventually that stormwater and all it carries flows into Biscayne Bay.

What can you do to help protect our waterways?

Residents can do the following:

• Plant native trees, shrubbery and groundcover.
• Incorporate stones or river rocks into your street-side landscaping, instead of mulch.
• Water smart and only during the allowable days and times
• Fertilize properly and only during the permissible period from November to May 14th.
• Rake yard clippings, instead of using a blower.
• Make sure your landscaper takes yard clippings with them instead of blowing or dumping them in our streets, valley gutters and waterways.
• Pick up after your pet and properly dispose of waste in a trash receptacle.
• Wash your vehicles on pervious surface away from storm drains.
• Keep chemicals and paints away from storm drains and dispose of them properly.
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste.