Water News Archive

Stormwater Regulations

The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), established through the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) Amendments of 1972 (later amended and known collectively as the Clean Water Act), regulates water quality by requiring a permit for point source pollution discharges to waters of the United States.

Soil erosion and sediment loss from construction sites has been documented as a major source of water pollution. Bare soil exposed to a rain event can become quickly eroded, leading to sediment that moves into adjacent storm sewers or lakes and streams.

Land Planning Standards

An important component in implementing effective best management practices for stormwater management is the regulatory context for land development. Land Planning Standards are changing, and there are many good examples that have been rewritten to provide a stronger framework for land development that integrates green stormwater management practices.

Conservation subdivision design (CSD) entails a broad range of design principles and parameters that collectively enhance environmental quality, the aesthetics and quality-of-life of residents in the subdivision, and the profitability of the development for the developer.

Green roofs are becoming a critical component in "green" urban infrastructure, and can provide a wide variety of environmental, aesthetic and cost benefits. A green roof can cover any size building and be used on any building type given the building has been designed or retrofitted to structurally support the weight. It generally consists of drought-tolerant vegetation and light-weight growing medium layered over an efficient drainage system and waterproofing membrane.

LID Atlas

The Low Impact Development (LID) Atlas was created for the National Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Network by the Connecticut NEMO Program and the California Center for Water and Land Use (http://lidmap.uconn.edu/). The LID Atlas is an interactive tool that provides examples of LID implementation throughout the country.

View examples of bioretention gardens in Nebraska.

Low Impact Development

The key premise of low impact development (LID) is to allow natural systems to manage stormwater when and wherever possible. LID takes advantage of existing natural features and also designs and constructs systems to imitate natural processes, for example, green roofs, bioretention gardens, and permeable pavement.

Permeable pavers let water pass through the spaces between them which are often filled with small gravel or sand.

Green roofs help manage stormwater by capturing rainfall.

Water News Archive

Stormwater Regulations

Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

Land Planning Standards

Conservation Subdivision Design

Green Roofs

LID Atlas

Bioretention Gardens

Low Impact Development

Permeable Pavers

Green Roofs