Stormwater 101

What is stormwater and why does Bangor need to think about it?

Stormwater is rain that has fallen, but, instead of evaporating or soaking into the ground, is flowing across the land until it reaches a body of water.  Along the way, this water picks up pollutants (such as fertilizers, pet waste, motor oil, etc.) and sediments.

As an area becomes more developed with roads, buildings, driveways and parking lots, more stormwater runs into nearby streams. 

The City of Bangor is fortunate to have a number of streams within it.  Like many other urban streams in Maine, though, several of these streams do not meet water quality standards set by the State.  These streams are known as urban impaired streams.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the City of Bangor to reduce the amount of polluted stormwater runoff.  If nothing is done, the EPA will require the City, and possibly individual property owners, to take certain actions to improve the streams.  If the City acts first, however, we will keep more control over the process and the end result will be more fair for property owners.

To learn more, please click here to visit the stormwater page on our website.