Storm Water
Stormwater runoff is water that flows over the land during and after a rainstorm event. The City is required to address water quality and quantity from stormwater runoff by administering the City's Stormwater Regulations. The Stormwater Management Division of the Department of Engineering develops, implements, and maintains programs and policies that preserve water quality, reduce erosion, and prevent flooding. This includes the design of new public drainage systems and review of site improvements within the City. All public drainage must have easements and/or rights-of-way to allow access for maintenance operations.
The Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining public portions of the stormwater collection system, which is a combination of open channels, street curbing and ditches, underground pipes, detention/retention facilities, and private and public lakes within the City. The systems are cleaned using machinery and hand labor on scheduled cycles to ensure they remain open and functional. Lakes are cleaned on a priority basis established by the Department of Engineering based upon water quality criteria and Best Management Practices (BMP). All maintenance operations are conducted in compliance with federal and state regulations.