FLOOD03407

• County: Statewide
• Community: State of Colorado
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Stormwater Management in the United States - A Study of Intsitutionl Problems, Solutions and Impacts
• Date: 9/1/1980
• Prepared By: Office of Water Research and Technology
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

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IMPACTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF STORMWATERS

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Problems and Effects

Urban communities across the United States have experienced serious physical,
social and economic problems in recent years from stormwater runoff. Most problems
are attributable to insufficient attention to the significance of land drainage in
long-range planning, unwise land use, and ineffective updating and control of
drainage systems and flood control facilities as land development flourished. As
a result, many urban areas have undersized storm drainage facilities in downstream
areas. These have often been ignored, or overlooked, in the surge of accelerating
urbanization--particularly since World War II.

The array of impacts generated by the increased runoff volumes and flow rates
from these new and expanding urban areas include: soil erosion; sedimentation;
flooding of streets, intersections, highway underpasses, commercial and industrial
property, and places of human habitations; recurring basement backups from surcharged
sanitary sewers caused by illicit connection of roof and foundation drains; inflow
and infiltration of stormwater into sanitary sewers; bridge and street wash-outs;
wastewater treatment plant by-paSSing; and pollution from overflows of wastes from
combined sewers. In addition to loss of human life and damage to real property and
personal property, the consequences produced include: health hazards; delays of
emergency. vehicles; delays in reaching places of employment; clean-up demands upon
the municipality and citizens; adverse effects upon aesthetics of natural areas and
urban environments; personal inconvenience; disruption of ecological balances; dis-
turbance of wildlife habitats; loss of animal life; and economic losses associated
with the problems identified above.

In urban places having combined sewers, the public health is threatened fre-
quently by intrusion of sanitary wastes from surcharged combined sewers during and
following intense rains. This is a common occurrence with heavy rains and, often
the only practical local solution available to a public agency appears to be the
purchase of some of the buildings and real estate. In many cases, structural cor-
rection made at problem buildings merely transfers the backup problems to other
nearby developed areas.

The public, in many urban places, have become aware of stormwater in recent
years. Most have experienced some runoff problems and now recognize the need for
practical and timely solutions. Unfortunately, even though they are aware of the
problems and acknowledge the needs for solutions, most persons still are unwilling
to accept the financial responsibility associated with correcting these problems.

Because of the many stormwater problems and related economic losses experienced
in recent years, public officials recognize the need for control and management of
stormwater runoff. Complaints received from the public concerning these problems
have given stormwater management a higher priority among officials in all levels of
government. Better control over zoning, land use, and land development--through
long overdue legislation--is now being implemented by many urban governments and
agencies. Strong local ordinances regulating floodplains, land drainage, erosion
and sediment control, construction, grading, zoning and environmental pollution
are now being enacted or considered in areas across the Country. As a consequence,
future urban growth can be better planned and controlled.

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