Stormwater Quality

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Stormwater Quality

Have you ever seen someone pour motor oil into a storm sewer? Use the nearest ditch to dispose of grass clippings with the leaf blower? Did you ever wonder where it all ends up? Our bayous - that's where. Stormwater runoff is not treated at a wastewater treatment facility. Virtually anything that touches the ground can make its way into the stormwater drainage system and flow directly into our waterways, and ultimately into Galveston bay. If stormwater contains pollutants, it transports those pollutants unless intercepted by natural or manmade treatment systems.

Stormwater Quality Brochure

(vertical poster format)

Who We Are

The Flood Control District’s Stormwater Quality Department works to protect Harris County’s waterways and basins by ensuring that our flood control infrastructure is planned, designed, constructed, operated and maintained for long-term stability and environmental protection. As part of the Flood Control District’s Environmental Services Division, the Stormwater Quality Department is involved throughout the lifecycle of all Flood Control District projects in activities such as incorporation of natural channel design elements, constructing stormwater treatment wetlands, revegetation and erosion control, evaluating the effectiveness of Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP), and educating the public about the importance of stormwater quality. Our work is driven by federal, state, and local environmental permit requirements, and inspired by the Flood Control District’s mission to “…provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values.”

What We Do

The Stormwater Quality Department supports the Flood Control District’s mission by ensuring compliance with all stormwater permits and supporting other divisions through design of environmental enhancements and site stabilization and revegetation.

Keith-Wiess Park in Aldine includes a flood water detention basin that was designed and is managed with stormwater quality features such as stormwater treatment wetlands and stormwater quality monitoring stations.