EPA works to reduce runoff and improve water quality by implementing stormwater management at its facilties. Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow that runs off streets, lawns and other sites. When stormwater is absorbed into soil, it is filtered and ultimately replenishes aquifers or flows into streams and rivers.

In developed areas, impervious surfaces such as pavement and roofs prevent precipitation from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, water runs rapidly into storm drains, sewer systems and drainage ditches and can cause:

• Downstream flooding
• Stream bank erosion
• Increased turbidity (muddiness created by stirred up sediment) from erosion
• Habitat destruction
• Combined storm and sanitary sewer system overflows
• Infrastructure damage
• Contaminated streams, rivers and coastal water

“Green infrastructure” encompasses approaches and technologies to infiltrate, evapotranspire, capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies.

EPA manages stormwater at its facilities using internal and federal requirements. The Agency’s stormwater management strategies reduce runoff volumes and improve stormwater quality.

Learn more about Stormwater Management Practices at EPA. Learn more about Stormwater Management Permitting and resolutions under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Program at EPA.