stormwater

Rain-fed drainage flow

Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow that runs off surfaces rather than soaking into the ground.

Paved areas generate the most stormwater, which collects pollutants as it flows into drains and eventually waterways.

Urban planning increasingly addresses stormwater management through retention ponds, permeable pavement, and rain gardens: The city updated its stormwater infrastructure after the flooding.

runoff

drainage

Liquid removal system

imperviousUnable to be affected
permeableAllowing substances through
sedimentParticles settling in liquid

pollutants · culvert · gutter · downspout · catchment · catch basin · outfall · first flush · urban runoff · agricultural runoff

infrastructure

sewers

Underground waste conduits

retention pondArtificial basin for stormwater
culvertTunnel for water passage
dikeWall against flooding

levee · green roof · rain garden · cistern · French drain · dry well · underground storage · grate · manhole · outlet

hydrology

watershed

Drainage area boundary

infiltrationCovert entry into organization
aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
percolationLiquid passing through pores

seepage · precipitation · drainage basin · recharge · saturation · soil moisture · hydraulics · peak flow · discharge · lag time

flooding

inundation

Overwhelming surge of water

overflowExceed capacity and spill
flash floodRapid overflow from storms
surgeSudden powerful increase

deluge · submerge · engulf · swamp · waterlogging · pluvial · backwater · overwhelm · ponding · basement flooding

management

sustainable

Able to endure long-term

erosion controlPreventing soil loss
pollution preventionStopping contaminants at origin
biofiltrationPurification through living organisms

treatment · mitigation · compliance · monitoring · modeling · ordinance · permit · municipal · EPA · regulation

stormwater

drainage

sewers

watershed

inundation

sustainable

stormwater

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