Stormwater Management

The Stormwater Management Program helps protect water quality in the City. The program has three focus areas: Stormwater Quality; Flooding and Drainage Issues; and Public Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations. Residents also partner with the City to protect water quality and decrease the impact of flooding. Working together we can manage stormwater more effectively to protect our local water resources and our community.
Page updated on September 7, 2023 at 1:08 PM

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or melting snow flows across land and impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, parking lots, streets, and other hard surfaces.  Because these impervious surfaces don't allow stormwater to soak into the ground, the runoff can cause flooding.  As it flows across the ground, stormwater runoff may pick up pollutants like grease, oil, pet waste, fertilizer, metals, and other pollutants before entering the City's storm drain system.  Stormwater is not treated, so the City's storm drains lead directly to local waterways, such as Taylor Run, Four Mile Run, Strawberry Run, Timber Branch, Hooffs Run, Holmes Run, Backlick Run, Cameron Run, and ultimately, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.  Unless stormwater is first treated, the pollution picked up by the stormwater runoff enters our waterways.  Stormwater pollution and flooding harms our environment, pets and wildlife, and can damage property.  

Flood Action Alexandria logo

Flood Action Alexandria

Flood Action Alexandria is an initiative to address flooding issues that arise in our community. Minimizing flooding is a shared public-private responsibility, and the City is committed to working with its residents and businesses to mitigate the impacts of flooding and build community resiliency.

Storm Drain photo

Stormwater Utility Fee

The Fee provides a dedication source of funding for the stormwater management program. Click here to learn more about the fee, credits, and how to appeal the SWU fee. 

Ben Brenman Pond

Stormwater Quality

Stormwater carries pollutants from hard surfaces to our local waterways, and can contribute to poor water quality.  Learn more about stormwater quality, what stormwater BMPs are, and what the City is doing to protect our local streams, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay.  

Family Cleaning Up River

Stormwater Stewardship

Our everyday activities can impact stormwater quality in positive or negative ways. It’s up to all of us to do our parts. Learn what you can do to get involved and help out around your home, yard, or business to help improve water quality in our local streams, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake

Illegal discharge in stream

Illicit Discharges

Did you know that only rain should enter the storm system?  Learn more about what illicit discharges are, why only rain and snow melt should enter the storm sewer system, and what to do if you see a weird color in a stream.  

City Sewer Vac Truck photo

Public Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations

Maintaining the storm system is a big job. Learn about what it takes to operate, maintain, and repair over 210 miles of streets, 185 miles of storm sewer pipes, 13,500 storm sewer structures, and hundreds of stormwater BMPs.

Only Rain Down the Storm Drain infographic