Office of Watershed Protection,
Stormwater Runoff

What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like streets, sidewalks and parking lots prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
Stormwater can pick up trash, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm drainage system or directly to a lake, stream, or river. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water.

Additionally, the volume of stormwater runoff due to increased impervious surfaces can overwhelm the storm sewer infrastructure causing flooding, erosion of streambanks and damage to property.

What is Atlanta Doing about Stormwater Runoff?
The City of Atlanta has several stormwater pollution programs in place. These programs include:

Greenspace Protection
Green Infrastructure
Streambank Stabilization
Flood Prevention
Land Development Regulation
Storm Sewer Infrastructure Maintenance
Greenroof
Adopt-a-Stream (DWM)

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