Stormwater is the water that runs off buildings, paved surfaces, and the ground during rain events. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stormwater is the leading cause of water pollution, and stormwater runoff is becoming more of an issue as impervious surfaces increase, more chemicals are used, and rain events intensify.
Areas with more tree cover and vegetation effectively slow down runoff, allowing rain water to seep into the soil, which naturally filters it. Areas with a significant amount of paved surfaces, buildings, and compacted land do not allow stormwater to infiltrate the ground, forcing it to become runoff. As stormwater flows over these impervious surfaces, it collect pollutants, such as motor oil, fertilizers, bacteria, sediment, road salt, and litter. Stormwater is almost never treated, so it brings these pollutants to the nearest body of water by traveling either overland or through a drain. In Rhode Island, stormwater pollution can lead to beach and shellfish area closures, algal blooms, and illness for humans and pets who swim in polluted waters.
Rhode Island Local Officials’ Stormwater Training for Planning Boards
RI NEMO has worked with the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning and the Southern New England Program (SNEP) Network to produce a stormwater training for Rhode Island planning board officials. The training includes a general background on stormwater issues in Rhode Island and walks through using the Low Impact Design (LID) Municipal Self-Assessment, a great tool for understanding areas in a municipality where low impact design can assist with stormwater management.
LID Site Planning and Design Techniques: A Municipal Self-Assessment
To assist municipalities with incorporating LID and managing stormwater RI NEMO produced a municipal self-assessment with funding from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). The guide and its accompanying resources walk municipal officials through assessing infrastructure in their municipalities and identifying areas for improvement.
RI State Regulations, Manuals, and Guidance
Find guidance documents on state stormwater and LID regulations, various manuals about installing LID, and guidance on how to maintain LID infrastructure.
Additional Stormwater Resources, Websites, and Factsheets
Explore factsheets and resources co-produced by RI NEMO on RIDEM’s Stormwater Solutions page. Learn about other organizations in the state who are working towards better stormwater management through the use of LID and GI.
Soil Mapping, Soil Erosion, and Sediment Control
Review the Standards and Procedures for Site Specific Soil Mapping in Rhode Island guide and explore resources on RIDEM’s Soil Erosion and Sediment Control webpage. Find factsheets, a training for construction professionals, RIDEM’s Soil Erosion and Sediment Control website, and a checklist for soil erosion control violations at construction sites.