Modern stormwater management consists of two components: the major drainage system comprising overland flow and retention facilities including ponds, playing fields, parking lots, underground reservoirs, and similar devices; and the minor drainage system consisting of storm sewers. The major system is designed to handle major regional storms which have an infrequent probability of occurrence. The minor system uses storm sewers to quickly drain the rainfall from yards, sidewalks, and streets after a rainfall event or during snow melt. Storm sewers are the single largest cost in servicing land for housing. Storm sewers typically discharge into surface waters such as creeks, rivers, or lakes without treatment.

See Also

Storm Runoff