Stormwater Management Program

Phone 301-258-6310 Fax 301-948-6149 Email environment@gaithersburgmd.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS What is Stormwater Pollution? The NPDES Stormwater Program The Storm Drain System Illicit Discharges and Connections to the Storm Drain System Local Laws Recognizing and Reporting Potential Illicit Discharges, Connections, or Dumping Ways You Can Prevent Stormwater Pollution Ways Businesses Can Prevent Stormwater Pollution Community Programs Household Hazardous Wastes Facts and Additional Information

Since the City of Gaithersburg is an urbanized area, most of the rainwater runs off buildings, homes, parking lots, and streets. Along the way, the runoff picks up trash (fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, Styrofoam cups, etc.) and toxins (used motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, etc.). This water, known as stormwater runoff, travels into catch basins and through storm drain pipes and ditches, and discharges untreated into our local streams. Our local streams flow into the Potomac River, which is our region's drinking water source, and then eventually to the Chesapeake Bay. When left uncontrolled, stormwater pollution can destroy fish, wildlife, and habitats; threaten the quality of our drinking water supplies; and reduce the recreational and aesthetic values of our water resources.

One of the major goals of the new stormwater legislation is to increase public awareness about how daily activities can degrade water quality so that we can work together to improve water quality in our local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.