Stormwater Management Program

A major contributor to contamination of our waterways is polluted stormwater. Stormwater is the flow of water that results from precipitation occurring immediately after a rainstorm. Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation flows over impervious services (i.e., driveways, sidewalks, roads) and picks up any oil, grease or other pollutant on the surface. Stormwater is carried away through a system of pipes and ditches is also known as the County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. The stormwater flows directly from streets and gutters into our rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Straight from your street to waterways inhabited by fish, frogs, and other aquatic animals and plants.

When polluted stormwater reaches our waterways, it has many long-lasting negative effects on aquatic plant and animal life. This pollution also impacts other species that use water, including humans.

If stormwater pollution continues, one of our most valuable resources – our recreational waterways – will be lost forever. Please remember ditches and storm drains are not connected to the sanitary sewer system. They discharge directly into streams, lakes, rivers, estuaries, bays, and oceans. This means that stormwater is not treated or decontaminated before it flows into our waterways. Whatever you put in ditches, street drains, and even your lawn, goes directly into our recreational waters whenever there is a significant rain. We must all take responsibility for keeping pollutants out of St. Johns County’s waters.

Potential effects

• Sediment and other debris clog fish gills, damage fish habitat and block light needed for aquatic plants to survive. Disrupting natural drainage patterns increases flooding chances.
• Debris such as plastic bags, bottles and cigarette butts can harm marine life.
• Bacteria and other pathogens wash into swimming areas and create health hazards.
• Excess nutrients such as those found in fertilizer can cause an over-abundance of aquatic vegetation which depletes oxygen in the waterbody.