Monthly Storm Water Report

The monthly Storm Water Report is now available online (PDF 13k).

Baytown is a city with an abundance of creeks and bayous. Our waterways support a wealth of wildlife and aquatic habitat, and provide us with a glimpse of nature in the midst of an urban setting. Clean water is a vital resource and the common denominator of any healthy environment. As a growing community, we are faced with new ecological challenges and responsibilities. Protecting the quality of our water resources is at the top of that list.

The Storm Water Story

Today, we know that storm water pollution is one of the biggest threats to the health of our creeks and bayous. In urban areas like Baytown the problem is magnified by widespread development, which puts added stress on the environment. By converting land from an undisturbed condition to a developed state we have covered the natural landscape with roads, rooftops, and parking lots. Rainwater that used to soak into the ground now becomes urban runoff, a mixture of rain and assorted pollutants

The Pollution Picture

As it flows over our streets and lawns, urban runoff picks up all sorts of contaminants like pesticides, fertilizers, dirt, detergents, automotive fluids and paint. Pet waste, grass clippings, litter and debris are also problematic. Basically, whatever we dump, pour, spill, leak, drain or discard onto the ground eventually winds up as polluted rainwater flowing into the city’s storm sewer system.

Follow the Flow

Enter the EPA

To decrease the amount of pollution reaching our surface waters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued storm water regulations as part of the Federal Clean Water Act. They are designed to guide urban areas, such as Baytown, in their efforts to keep our waterways clean. The ultimate goal is to reduce storm water pollution to the “maximum extent practicable.” How will we do this?

Laying the Foundation

The EPA has established the foundation for our Storm Water Management Program. As a regulated city, we our currently developing our Storm Water Management Program around “6 minimum control measures.  Click here (PDF 681k) to view our Storm Water Management Plan.

1. Public Education and Outreach

Develop a program to educate our community about storm water impacts on our creeks and bayous, plus inform residents how they can help prevent storm water pollution.

2. Public Participation and Involvement

Give the public - that’s you - opportunities to participate in the development and implementation of the storm water program. This is your opportunity to be heard. Express your opinions. Share ideas. We encourage you to get involved and “spread the word.”

3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

4. Construction Site Runoff Controls

Why is dirt so bad?

• Silted runoff is highly turbid or “cloudy.” It’s like an underwater dust storm, which clogs fish gills and interferes with photosynthesis.
• As it settles, it can smother fish eggs and other bottom dwelling organisms.
• Soil acts like velcro, picking up other pollutants as it’s washed into our waterways.
• Silt settles out in slow moving sections of streams, which can lead to flood concerns. Silt also winds up in lakes and ponds, which may necessitate expensive dredging.

5. Post-construction Runoff Controls

• Create a program requiring new and redevelopment projects to utilize environmentally friendly designs, minimizing ecological impacts over the long-term. Some examples of this policy include:
• Using grass swales instead of concrete ditches. Grass, unlike concrete, gives rain a chance to soak in.
• Using vegetated buffer strips to stabilize creek banks and help filter pollutants.
• Building detention ponds that allow pollutants to settle out before reaching the creek.

6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Finally, we must set the example as a city, by making sure our “house” is in order. We’re examining city operations and changing the way we do things to minimize our contribution to pollution.

Pollution Solution

Clean water is an inviting, soothing, life giving natural resource. As stewards of the environment, we all share in the responsibility of keeping our waterways clean. The creation of a Storm Water Management Program requires a community effort. It’s a huge challenge, but in Baytown we’re serious about being a part of the solution. Contaminated storm water runoff threatens our health and environment. Please join us as we strive to keep our creeks, streams, bays, and bayous pollution-free for generations to come.