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About Stormwater Management

The following is information found in the "Stormwater Management Ordinance" for Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Inadequate management of stormwater runoff from development in a watershed increases flood flows and velocities, erodes and/or silts stream channels, pollutes water, overloads existing drainage facilities, undermines floodplain management in downstream communities, reduces groundwater recharge, and threatens public health and safety. More specifically, surface water runoff can carry pollutants into receiving waters. The potential impacts of these pollutants and the accompanying higher velocities include:

(a) Changing natural ecosystems through sediment and pollutant deposits that affect the quantity and quality of water flowing, the destruction of habitats, and the loss of plant and animal life;

(b) Posing significant health risks through increased bacteria;

(c) Accelerating eutrophication of receiving waters by introducing excessive nutrient loads;

(d) Increasing metal deposits creating adverse toxicity for aquatic life;

(e) Reducing oxygen levels because of oil, grease, and organic matter; and

(f) Affecting animal and plant life adversely, due to changing temperatures of receiving waters.

Uncontrolled stormwater can increase the incidence of flooding and the level of floods which occur, endangering roads, public and private property and human life.

Altered land surfaces can change the rate and volume of runoff. These changes may result in the following:

(a) Erosion and slumping of stream banks;

(b) Undercut root systems;

(c) Increased erosion rates; and

(d) Uniform and shallow streambeds, providing less varied aquatic habitats.

The adverse water quality and quantity consequences described above may result in substantial economic and/or human losses. The potential losses include, but are not limited to, increased wastewater and drinking water treatment costs, diminished property values, increased flood
damages, as well as state and federal fines associated with water quality violations. Many future problems can be avoided through proper stormwater management whereby a comprehensive and reasonable program of regulations is fundamental to the public health, safety, and welfare and to the protection of the citizenry and environment.

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