California Central Coast Gets Serious About Stormwater

Central coast-area water officials in California unanimously adopted new rules requiring developers to reduce runoff from impervious surfaces in their projects like roads, roofs and parking lots. Permeable and porous paving are options for processing runoff and improving water quality.

California water officials in the central coast region have adopted new rules that require developers to reduce polluted stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces like roads, roofs and parking lots in their developments. These requirements direct cities to approve techniques that filter and improve stream stability, and minimize impacts to water quality.

After December 1, homeowners in the area adding more than 2,500 square feet of impervious surface to their property will have to mitigate runoff by redirecting water from gutters and driveways from common drains. Potential methods for stormwater infiltration and treatment include permeable pavers, porous asphalt or cement, bioretention ponds or bioswales.

The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board unanimously adopted the rules in September, which will go into effect a year from now to allow cities time to prepare.

More information is available at www.swrcb.ca.gov/centralcoast.