When development projects are constructed or retrofitted, impervious surfaces (surfaces that do not drain) are built or replaced, which can cause increases in stormwater runoff that flows into the stormdrain system. As stormwater moves through the environment, it collects debris, litter, sediment, oils and other pollutants in its path and is untreated as it makes its way to a stormdrain, culvert, or creek. These pollutants then flow to our local waterways including creeks, rivers, lakes, and eventually, to the San Francisco Bay. Low impact development (LID), are stormwater treatment systems that are built to help offset the effects of development on the environment.

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Pavement, rooftops, buildings, and other impervious surfaces disrupts the natural flow of water by not allowing water to infiltrate back into the ground. This causes stormwater runoff. Stormwater can collect debris, litter, sediment, oils and other pollutants in its path to the stormdrain, culvert, or creek. Stormwater is untreated and flows to our local waterways including creeks, rivers, lakes, and eventually, to the Monterey Bay. Post Construction Requirements, or PCRs, are stormwater treatment systems that are built to help offset the effects of development on the environment.

Contact Zhenzhen Jiang, Management Analyst at Watershed Protection Division, Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, County of Santa Clara

Contact Garik Iosilevksy, Management Analyst at Watershed Protection Division, Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, County of Santa Clara

Contact Julianna Martin, Management Analyst at Watershed Protection Division, Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, County of Santa Clara

Vanessa Marcadeja, Program Manager, at County of Santa Clara, Watershed Protection Division