From the State Water Resources Control Board:
The State Water Resources Control Board today adopted an innovative statewide Storm Water Strategy that advances storm water management in California as a resource for present and future water needs.
Historically, unmanaged storm water runoff has been viewed as a threat to human life and property, and as a significant source of water quality pollution. The Storm Water Strategy promotes the value of storm water for multiple benefits such as groundwater replenishment and habitat improvement. The goal is to use storm water to improve water quality and supply for local communities and long term state water supply needs.
“The drought, and the specter of more frequent droughts due to climate change, requires us to dramatically rethink how we manage storm water in California,” said State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “Storm water should no longer be viewed as a nuisance, but instead embraced as an immediate and future water resource. With the right planning to capture it rather than shunting it away, local communities can improve local flood control, water quality, and water supply, including groundwater recharge, while contributing to urban greening—all of which will benefit current and future generations of Californians.”
The California Water Action Plan, released in January 2014, called for multiple benefit storm water management solutions and more efficient permitting programs. The California Water Boards support local partnerships and collaboration to identify effective ways to further integrate watershed management, multiple-benefit solutions, and source control for storm water management efficiency and effectiveness.
The Storm Water Strategy identifies the goals, objectives, and actions for the State Water Board and Regional Water Boards to continue to improve the regulation, management, and utilization of California’s storm water resources.
For more information visit the Storm Water Program webpage. Background information on the development of the Storm Water Strategy Plan is found here.
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