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Stormwater Management in Portland
When it rains, water washes over roofs, streets, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and land surfaces. Along the way, it can pick up a variety of pollutants, such as oil, pesticides, metals, chemicals, and soil. This polluted stormwater drains into the storm system that eventually discharges into our rivers and streams. The pollutants can endanger the water quality of our waterways, making them unhealthy for people, fish, and wildlife.
Portland receives an average of 37 inches of precipitation annually, creating about 10 billion gallons of stormwater runoff per year. The volume and speed of the runoff can cause flooding and erosion, destroy natural habitat, and contribute to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) .
The federal Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Endangered Species Act direct the City to improve stormwater quality and protect watersheds, rivers, streams and drinking water resources. The Bureau of Environmental Services coordinates the citywide response to the federal stormwater permit that requires the City to reduce stormwater pollution, and oversees other programs that respond to water quality requirements. The City finances stormwater management services primarily through public utility fees imposed on developed property. Additional revenue comes from system development charges (SDCs) on new development.
The City spends a significant amount of time and resources on a variety of programs and public involvement initiatives that work with citizens, businesses, and property owners to increase public awareness of stormwater issues and promote private stormwater management efforts.
Additional Stormwater Information
Portland Stormwater Management Manual
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