Hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, and parking lots prevent rain from soaking into the ground. Instead, water flows quickly over these areas, gaining speed—especially on steep or paved slopes—and carries with it dirt, chemicals, nutrients, and other pollutants. This runoff often enters storm drains or nearby waterways without any treatment. While one home’s runoff may seem small, it adds up across neighborhoods and can seriously harm our water.
The good news: homeowners can take simple steps to manage stormwater and protect water quality. Even if you don’t live near a lake or stream, reducing runoff and helping it soak into the ground benefits the entire watershed.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
The City of Eldridge is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) city and must abide by an individual stormwater permit to minimize stormwater runoff. MS4s are determined by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and primarily dependent on population or proximity to a metropolitan area. To comply with the permit, the City is required to implement a stormwater management program containing six minimum control measures.
These requirements include:
- Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts
- Public involvement and participation
- Illicit discharge detection and elimination (reporting pollution into a storm drain or waterway)
- Construction site stormwater runoff control
- Post-construction stormwater management
- Pollution prevention and good housekeeping
Each component has a set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) with measurable goals to evaluate the program. The City is required to submit an annual report documenting its compliance with the six minimum controls listed above.
Visit the Community Center page to learn more about upcoming events, facility rentals, and available amenities.
How can you reduce stormwater runoff from residential property?
Here are some ways to reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff and in many cased improve stormwater quality as well.
- Use a rain barrel. Collect water from your roof in a 50–80 gallon rain barrel to reduce runoff and use it later for watering plants. They’re affordable and easy to make or buy.
- Redirect downspouts. Point them away from pavement and toward grass, mulch, or garden beds. You can also use perforated drain pipes or gravel trenches to slow and absorb the water.
- Plant a rain garden. These shallow, planted areas catch runoff from roofs and driveways and let it soak into the ground within a few days. They can be DIY or professionally installed. Learn more at: iowastormwater.org
- Sweep, don’t spray. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. It saves water and keeps pollutants out of storm drains.
- Shrink paved areas. If you’re updating driveways, patios, or walkways, choose permeable materials like gravel or pavers to let water soak in.
- Add swales. Swales are shallow, grassy ditches that slow and spread runoff instead of sending it straight to a ditch or drain.
- Design for drainage. Use decking with gaps, permeable pavers, or stones for hard surfaces. For new buildings, consider a green roof—planted with low-maintenance vegetation—to absorb rainwater naturally.
Stormwater Resources
- Iowa DNR Stormwater Manual – detailed diagrams on Best Practices for Stormwater management
- Eldridge is a member of the Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership. Their website has information on native planting, rain gardens and much more, as well as trainings on installing and maintaining best stormwater practices.
- Eldridge is offering Soil Quality Restoration assistance. For more information visit the Eldridge Soil Restoration Grant Program.
- Eldridge is a member of the Partners of Scott County Watershed, an organization helping to preserve and clean up Scott County’s native watersheds. Visit their site to learn more about events and activities you can do to improve our native waters.
