How Does Stormwater Impact Water Quality?
Stormwater is runoff that can occur when there is rain or snow melt. Likewise, dry weather urban runoff can occur when someone uses water and allows it to run off their property, for example when they are gardening, watering their lawn, or cleaning their car.
In natural or open space areas (e.g., parks, fields, gardens) stormwater and dry weather urban runoff can absorb into the ground. However, in areas where development has occurred, stormwater and dry weather runoff travels along impervious surfaces (e.g., rooftops, roads, and parking lots) and flows, untreated, into the local waterways. If the stormwater has picked up pollutants such as trash, chemicals, or sediment prior to discharging into a waterway, it can adversely affect the fish, aquatic insects and/or animals that rely on that waterbody.
How Can Green Infrastructure Projects Improve Water Quality?
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is a type of development that uses natural materials (plants, soil, green space) or methods such as permeable pavement to absorb and filter storm water and urban runoff of pollutants. GSI helps to prevent flooding and pollution of local water bodies.
Types of GI include rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, planter boxes, green roofs, bioswales, permeable pavements, green streets and alleys, green parking, urban tree canopy, and land conservation.
GI features:
- Mimic natural systems to absorb and filter stormwater, which removes pollutants and slows or reduces runoff into storm drains and surface waters; and
- Can reduce erosion and flood risk, as well as protect water quality for humans and aquatic organisms.
For further information on green infrastructure, you can visit the following: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure
Tribal Engagement
Tribal Engagement is important for the development and implementation of the Storm Water Resource Plan (SWRP). The agencies funding the development of the SWRP, namely the County of San Joaquin and the cities of Lodi, Tracy, Manteca and Stockton, are committed to engaging with Tribal Partners and developing partnerships. They are also focused on promoting collaborative and transparent Tribal engagement to ensure creation and maintenance of the best Plan that meets Tribal Partner interests and benefits watershed sustainability.
Please contact Chris Boyer with the County of San Joaquin at cboyer@sjgov.org if you are interested in getting involved in SWRP updates or proposing a project for the SWRP. You can also reach out via phone by contacting the San Joaquin Water Resources Division at 209-468-3000.
Outreach During SWRP Development
A core component of SWRP development was outreach and collaboration with regional and Tribal governments, interested groups, and the public to identify and prioritize potential projects that could be included in the SWRP.
Ongoing feedback and engagement from Native American Tribes and Tribal governments, public agencies, and regional interested parties including nonprofit organizations, public entities, watershed groups, non-municipal public landowners, and the general public is encouraged.
Refer to the Stages of Engagement table below to review the stages of outreach during initial SWRP development, and to identify opportunities for you to get involved moving forward.
| Stages of Engagement |
Timeline |
| Outreach with regional and Tribal governments and interested parties (we want to hear from you!) |
December 2023 - Ongoing |
| Review of a Methodology for Ranking Stormwater Projects |
January 16 - March 13th, 2024 |
| Opportunity for Your Project Submittal |
April 5 - April 29, 2024 |
| Review of the Draft SWRP |
June 28 - July 19 |
|
SWRP Modification/ Project Implementation
|
Ongoing
|
You can download the accepted SWRP here. Email comments directly to
cboyer@sjgov.org.
Footnote 1: “Exceptions where a SWRP is not required are: (1) for projects benefiting a disadvantaged community (DAC) with a population of 20,000 or less that is not a co-permittee for an MS4 permit issued to a municipality with a population of more than 20,000, and (2) for projects that are in an Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) and are covered under an approved ASBS Compliance Plan. If an applicant or project is exempt from the SWRP requirement, the project must still be included and implemented in an adopted Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP)” (Source: California State Water Resources Control Board, Prop 1 Storm Water Grant Program FAQs Sheet, https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/swgp/docs/prop1/prop1_swgp_faq.pdf)