Water
Water is a critical natural resource that needs to be protected, reused, and kept clean, however it can also pose threats with increasing extreme weather events. Greater stormwater management is needed throughout the County to provide resiliency, especially to underserved areas and critical habitats.
Stormwater Management
Best Practices
Howard County aims to increase the installation and maintenance of small-scale stormwater management practices, nonstructural techniques, and better site planning to mimic natural hydrologic runoff characteristics, preserve natural features, and minimize the impact of land development on water resources. These best practices may include bioretentions, rain gardens, conservation landscapes, and tree canopy expansion.
At a residential scale the impact may be small when looking at a single example, however widescale adoption of these practices can help reduce stormwater load as the frequency and intensity of rain events increases. On commercial and non-profit properties, opportunities for larger projects can provide for greater treatment, as well as serve to demonstrate projects for the community.
Stormwater Management
Addressing Equity
Improving infrastructure and adjusting guidelines to incorporate climate change projections, will restore and create new functionality within the stormwater management system and effectively prepare Howard County to withstand increased climate impacts. This will reduce the need for service repairs and the impacts of flooding on homes, business operations, utility infrastructure, and buildings.
Identifying under-resourced neighborhoods within vulnerable watersheds will guide the prioritization of stormwater treatment to impart equity to these areas of our community. Increasing the installation of stormwater best management practices (BMPs) will add resiliency to communities by reducing the impact of stormwater runoff on properties during frequent smaller storms.
Stormwater Management
Leading by Example: Incentive Programs
Howard County provides multiple programs to incentivize stormwater management through all sectors of the built community:
- Are you a resident looking to improve the stormwater runoff on your property? Explore the CleanScapes Program.
- Are you a business looking to improve the stormwater runoff on your property? Explore the Commercial Stormwater Partnership Program.
- Are you a nonprofit or HOA* looking to lower your stormwater fee and receive grant funding for reducing the stormwater runoff on your property? Explore the Nonprofit Watershed Protection Partnership Program and join nonprofit Partners in making a difference.
*HOA's do not have stormwater fees, but they are eligible for the grant program.
Vulnerable Watersheds
Flooding Vulnerabilities
As weather events continue to intensify, Howard County aims to prioritize Vulnerable Watersheds. These are defined as areas within the County subject to flooding both from overflowing streams and from local drainage systems inadequate to convey runoff from large storm events.
Long term sustainability and maintenance of installed projects, included dedicated funding for these efforts, must be carefully considered and planned. Utilizing innovative and nature-based systems to maximize stormwater treatment options in Vulnerable Watersheds will increase co-benefits and resiliency.
What You Can Do
Help Reduce Stormwater Runoff and Protect our Water
Explore these resources to learn more about stormwater pollution and sustainable water management practices.
