Stormwater Management

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the rainfall or snowmelt that flows over our yards, streets, parking lots, and buildings and either enters the storm drain system or runs directly into a lake or stream.

What is a storm drain?

Storm drains are the openings you see along curbs and in streets and parking lots. They carry away rainwater and snowmelt and transport it through the system to nearby lakes and streams. Water and other debris that enter storm drains do not go a treatment facility.

Why is Stormwater important?

As stormwater flows over lawns, driveways, and parking lots it picks up fertilizers, oil, chemicals, grass clippings, litter, pet waste, and anything else in its path. The storm drain system then transports these pollutants, now in the water, to local lakes and streams. Anything that goes into a storm drain eventually ends up in a lake or stream.

Where does Stormwater in Genoa Township go?

Genoa Township is comprised of land in both the Shiawassee and Huron River watersheds. This means that anywhere in the Township, all of the water under or on a particular piece of the land drains to either the Shiawassee or Huron River. Generally, the northwest half of the Township belongs to the Shiawassee River Watershed, while the southeast half drains to the Huron River.

What can you do to help protect Stormwater?

Become aware and get involved. Check out the Links section of this page for some great resources and sources of information on Watershed Planning and Stormwater management. Also, watch for announcements on the Township website, in the newsletter and in the local paper for ways to get involved in the Watershed Planning process. Public participation is a vital part of the process and volunteers are essential to helping us to reduce pollution and improve water quality.