The management of stormwater has emerged as a complex environmental challenge for the region’s local governments. Local programs’ traditional focus on the control of stormwater quantity so as to minimize flooding in developed areas has shifted over the past 10-15 years to also address stormwater quality concerns. Under the Clean Water Act, local governments are required by municipal separate storm sewer system permits (MS4s) to reduce the nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants carried by urban runoff into local streams and rivers like the Potomac and Anacostia, and, ultimately, to the Chesapeake Bay. Permit compliance is requiring local governments to greatly increase the amount of staff and money they devote to their stormwater programs.
In response, COG staff has increased its support to members’ stormwater programs. This support includes: tracking regulatory and legal developments, analyzing modeling and monitoring data on the impacts of stormwater runoff, sponsoring workshops and other forms of peer exchange, and promoting the use of innovative technology. COG staff maintains a summary of local government fee and tax programs used to provide dedicated revenue for stormwater management. Staff also has prepared a regional overview of stormwater management efforts throughout the region and plans to update this factsheet on a periodic basis.
Local Stormwater Management Programs
District of Columbia
City of Bowie
Charles County
City of Frederick
Frederick County
City of Gaithersburg
Montgomery County
Prince George's County
City of Rockville
City of Takoma Park
City of Alexandria
Arlington County
City of Fairfax
Fairfax County
City of Falls Church
Loudoun County
City of Manassas
City of Manassas Park
Prince William County