Stormwater
The next time you’re caught in a rainstorm, watch where the water goes. Does it soak into the ground, form a puddle or flow off towards a stormdrain?

Troubled water begins with disturbed land. Ground in Lenexa, once covered with rich topsoil and deep rooted vegetation is quickly being replaced with streets, driveways, roofs, parking lots and compacted lawns. When it rains, these urbanized landscapes generate excess water, called runoff, that picks up speed and pollutants as it travels over the "hard," impervious surfaces, directly affecting stream bank integrity and water quality.

Unlike sewage, which goes to treatment plants, stormwater runoff flows untreated through the storm drain system. Anything thrown, swept or poured into the street, gutter or stormdrain flow directly into our creeks, streams and lakes. Waterways can be filled with pollutants like sediment, trash, pet waste, motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides and fertilizers, paint and other chemicals.

This type of pollution is called nonpoint source because it stems from the actions of many people and is usually hard to pinpoint. Point sources of pollution are direct, identifiable conveyances (such as pipes), while nonpoint sources include stormwater runoff from many locations, like paved areas and lawns. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers stormwater runoff to be one of the main sources of water pollution nationwide.

Why should I care?
Preventing pollution and reducing stormwater runoff entering Lenexa’s waterways is much more affordable than dealing with the problems caused afterwards. We use this water for drinking water and recreation, so everyone is affected when water is polluted.

What is the city doing?
Lenexa utilizes a variety of efforts to reduce stormwater runoff, following the six minimum control measures listed by the EPA National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

• Public Outreach and Education
• Public Involvement and Participation
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
• Control Site Runoff Control
• Post-Construction Stormwater Management
• Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

View Lenexa’s stormwater management plan.