Stormwater Protection

What is Stormwater runoff? Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is Stormwater runoff a problem? Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system that leads directly to local waterways.

Does water entering the storm drains get treated? No -- the water goes directly to the local waterways.

Can grass cuttings be blown into the street and down the storm drains? No -- grass and other waste materials entering the storm drain system can hinder proper drainage and affect local water quality. Keep grass on the lawn, it's natural fertilizer.

What is erosion control? It is anything that will keep soil on site and out of streets and storm drains. This may include silt fencing, berms and properly placed hay bales. Natural vegitation is the best method to control erosion; roots and ground cover will hold the soil on site.

Why is erosion control necessary? Eroding soil and mud, sometimes due to land being disturbed as a result of construction activities, ends up in the streets, drains, ditches, and water ways. Important topsoil is lost while contributing to poor water quality and possible clogged storm drains.

Storm Drain Marking Program
Any type of group can label storm drain catch basins, which alerts the public not to dump any waste into the drains. Materials for the project such as the label in the illustration or stencils and paint are provided to participants. Several hundred storm drains have been marked, but many more await your group, as you do your part to keep Crowley's waterways clean.

Annual "Trash Bash"
Every spring, hundreds of volunteers -- groups of all sorts and individuals -- head out to some of the more littered roads and waterways in and around Crowley to pick up unsightly litter. Call and sign up today and take pride in our beautiful city.

Ask about our Storm Drain Marking Program!

LOOKING FOR A GROUP SERVICE PROJECT? As about our Storm Drain Marking Program

Fact Sheets & Reports
(pdf format)