Common Stormwater Planning Topics
- Stormwater
Planning Home - About
- Common Topics
- Community Pilot Projects
Communities around the country may have similar themes in the topics they would like to address in the long-term stormwater planning process. EPA collaborated with four communities to help them pursue long-term stormwater planning. The four community pilot projects focused on the following topics.
- Asset Management
- Financing/Funding
- Stormwater Infrastructure Opportunities
- Roadway Projects
- Stakeholder Involvement
- Development and Redevelopment Policies
Asset Management
Asset management focuses on data-driven actions and procedures that help communities take a proactive approach to managing stormwater infrastructure rather than focusing on short-term, reactive approaches. It can help communities better leverage resources, ensure adequate operation and maintenance, address flood mitigation, and keep better track of expected pollutant reductions. Asset management programs can be integrated into capital improvement plans and community financial plans.
Asset Management Resources
-
Long-Term Stormwater Planning: A Voluntary Guide for Communities (pdf)
- Characterize Existing Systems Section (page 12)
- Resources Section (page 28)
- Long-Term Stormwater Planning Worksheets for starting your asset management planning
- Community Examples
Financing/Funding
To support a successful stormwater program and the implementation of infrastructure projects, communities must provide sufficient funding to support costs for administrative support, design, construction, operation, and maintenance over time. Communities have a variety of funding and financing mechanisms available for stormwater management including dedicated municipal revenue sources as well as external financing options that can be combined to create a funding portfolio that meets program funding needs.
Financing/Funding Resources
-
Long-Term Stormwater Planning: A Voluntary Guide for Communities (pdf)
- Develop, Evaluate, and Select Preferred Alternatives Section (page 18)
- Long-Term Stormwater Planning Worksheets for starting your financing/funding planning
- Community Examples
Stormwater Infrastructure Opportunities
Most communities update, replace, or design new stormwater infrastructure—including green infrastructure—to minimize local flooding and reduce pollutants. Thoughtfully designing, planning, and integrating these capital investments with larger community projects and priorities can be an effective way to tackle these infrastructure needs.
Stormwater Infrastructure Resources
-
Long-Term Stormwater Planning: A Voluntary Guide for Communities (pdf)
- Characterize Existing Systems Section (page 12)
- Incorporating Green Infrastructure into Roadway Projects in Santa Fe (pdf)
- Site suitability assessment examples for community pilot projects
- Long-Term Stormwater Planning Worksheets for starting your stormwater infrastructure planning
- Community Examples
Roadway Projects
Roadway and transportation projects can offer opportunities to incorporate green infrastructure and innovative stormwater designs that provide multiple benefits to communities.
Roadway Project Resources
- Long-Term Stormwater Planning: A Voluntary Guide for Communities (pdf)
- Incorporating Green Infrastructure into Roadway Projects in Santa Fe (pdf)
- Community Example
Stakeholder Involvement
Identifying a variety of stakeholders and actively engaging them throughout the long-term stormwater planning process is essential. It is critical to connect with stakeholders both before setting long-term goals and throughout the planning process. Maintaining open communication with stakeholders ensures that all view points are considered in the planning process.
Stakeholder Involvement Resources
- Long-Term Stormwater Planning: A Voluntary Guide for Communities (pdf)
- Using Stakeholder Input to Evaluate and Rank Alternatives (xlsx)
- Community Examples
Development and Redevelopment Policies
Development and redevelopment policies are important because they outline project requirements that prevent or reduce local flooding, protect natural resources like green space and waterways, and promote desirable development. Development and redevelopment policies can also protect infrastructure and promote better stormwater management.