The Clermont County Storm Water Management Department was created by the Board of Commissioners in August 2004 as part of an effort to address drainage and flooding problems, and to improve the quality of the County's rivers, streams and lakes by managing storm water runoff. The Storm Water Management Department is a division of the Clermont County Water Resources Department.
What Is Storm Water and Why Does It Matter?
Storm water is water that falls as rain. When rain falls on forested or open areas, much of this water soaks into, or infiltrates, the ground. When development occurs, much of the rain water that used to infiltrate now runs off hard (impervious) surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, streets and parking lots. The excess runoff can result in localized drainage problems or flooding if not properly managed.
Storm water runoff also carries many different kinds of pollutants with it into local waterways. When rain falls and flows over construction sites, farm land, roads and parking lots, residential lawns and other areas, it picks up many different types of pollutants. This mix of rain water and pollutants does not flow to a treatment plant, but rather directly to local creeks and rivers, where it can harm wildlife and spoil recreation areas.
Federal Regulations
Storm water runoff is considered to be one of the most significant sources of pollution throughout Ohio and across the nation. For this reason, the Federal Government now requires communities across the nation to develop management programs that reduce the amount of pollution coming from storm water runoff. Many townships and municipalities in Clermont County are required to comply with these unfunded storm water regulations, and the County is helping these communities implement a cooperative storm water management program.