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Stormwater
Stormwater
Storm Water System carries
rain water and other ground water straight to the river, without any treatment.
Why does this matter? Because anything that goes down one of the storm drains,
goes straight to the river . . . water, trash, car wash soap, pesticides, etc.
Where does the rain go when it
hits the ground? It depends on the type of surface it lands on. If it lands on
natural ground (grass, soil, forest), then it generally soaks in. On the other
hand, if it lands on hard surface (street, driveway, parking lot, rooftop,
etc.), then it flows downhill until it enters one of the storm drains.
What is Storm Water? Storm
Water is more than just rain that has hit the ground. Any type of water
run-off, whether it originates in the form of rain (or other precipitation),
water from sprinkler system, etc. it is considered storm water.
Anything entering the storm
water system does not get treated in any way; it flows directly to the river.
Because of this, you should never pour anything other than clean water down a
storm drain. Never pour motor oil,
antifreeze, or other automotive/industrial products onto your driveway or
street, or into storm drain, or drainage ditch. The storm water system is
much more than just underground pipes heading to the river. The system also
consists of drainage ditches and culverts that carry water toward the river,
too. Because of this, you should make sure to keep any drainage ditches on your
property free of debris, brush, and grass clippings that could restrict the
flow of water. Think about it . . . if the water can’t flow down the ditch
toward the creek, then it could back up and flood the neighborhood.
The City of Oak Hill has a
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit that is mandated by the U.S.
EPA and enforced by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
There are many aspects of this program, and it covers the entire city –
established residential neighborhoods and new neighborhood construction. There
are five points that the State of Tennessee measures the City of Oak Hill
against:
1. Public Education & Outreach on the Impact
of Storm Water
2. Public Involvement & Participation
3. Illicit
Discharge Detection & Elimination
4. Construction
Site Storm Water Runoff Control
5. Permanent
Storm Water Management in New Development & Redevelopment