Storm Water Program

What is storm water? Storm water is runoff and surface flows generated from rainfall events.  
 
When it rains in the City of Chandler, where does storm water go? 
When it rains in urban areas, the storm water runs off buildings and paved areas instead of soaking into the ground. The storm water collection system, also known as the storm drain system, is designed to move storm water flows along conveyances like city streets and gutters where it is directed into storm drains or spillways constructed along the street, and eventually deposited into retention basins, greenbelt areas, parks, washes and lakes within the community.  

Is storm water treated? 
No. The storm water collection system is completely separate from the sanitary sewer system connected to our homes and businesses. The sanitary sewer system delivers wastewater from our sinks, showers, toilets, and washing machines to a wastewater treatment facility where the wastewater is treated and either reused or recharged to groundwater. Storm water runoff collected in storm water collection systems is not treated before it infiltrates to groundwater or is discharged to retention basins, greenbelt areas, parks, washes and lakes within the community.

Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Illustration



 
What types of pollutants are commonly found in storm water?
Common pollutants found in storm water may include, but are not limited to pesticides, fertilizers, litter, pet waste, petroleum products, automotive fluids, paints, solvents, yard waste, sediment, chemicals, and other materials.

The City's Storm Water Program helps educate the community on environmental regulations. Chandler works with state and federal regulators to make sure residents know the effects of storm water drainage and how to reduce pollutants into the storm drain system. Download the brochure, "Storm Water: A Homeowner's guide to healthy habits for clean water" (PDF).

View more information about the City's Stormwater Management Program (PDF)

For questions or to report illegal dumping or discharges into streets or storm drains or standing water issues in Chandler, please call 480-782-3503.

Free Presentations: The City offers free presentations about storm water pollution prevention for schools, community groups, homeowners and neighborhood associations.

Additional Links

• What Can You Do to Reduce Storm Water Pollution
• Storm Water Outreach for Regional Municipalities
• Pool Drainage Requirements
• Chandler City Code - The City has a couple chapters in the City Codes that address discharges of pollutants into the storm drain system. For more information, review the Code in chapters 30 and 45.
• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality - Storm Water Permitting
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Storm Water Web site
•   Video:  Chandler Works - Storm Water Program
• Maricopa County Flood Control District

Resources for the Construction Industry

• Click here for Frequently Asked Questions and Resources about Storm Water Pollution Prevention for the Construction Industry

Resources for Industrial Facilities

• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Multi-Sector General Permit Requirements

Resources for Private Property Owners

• City of Chandler Property Owners Manual for Storm Water Management (PDF) 
• ADEQ Annual Drywell Inspection Checklist (PDF)

Annual Reports

• 2012 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)
• 2011 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)
• 2010 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)
• 2009 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)
• 2008 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)
• 2007 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)
• 2006 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)
• 2005 Chandler Storm Water Program Annual Report (PDF)

Environmental Art Contest

The City's Solid Waste/Recycling, Water Conservation and Stormwater programs have announced the 19 winners for Chandler’s ninth annual Environmental Art Contest. Click here to see the 2012 winning entries.