Stormwater Management

Stormwater is water produced during precipitation events. This includes rain, snow melt, and ice melt. Once the water is on the ground, it can soak into soil, fill lakes and ponds, evaporate, or run into storm sewer systems. Click through the tabs below to learn more about stormwater or check out our Adopt-a-Stream Program to learn how you and your friends can help keep our environment healthy!

Adopt-a-Stream Program

Stormwater Quality

Stormwater pollution is everything that flows down the street and enters the storm water drainage system without being cleaned at treatment plants. Anything that flows through the system, besides rainwater, is called stormwater pollution. This runoff is the largest source of pollution in our nation's waterways. It is important that we, as good stewards of the environment, work to keep harmful debris and chemicals out of our waterways!

These common individual behaviors have the potential to generate stormwater pollution:

littering
applying lawn-chemicals
washing cars on impervious driveways
changing motor-oil on impervious driveways
disposing leftover paint and household chemicals

Ways to Help Reduce Storm Water Pollution

Use your refuse, recycling, and green waste containers instead of littering in the street.
Rinse water-based paint out of brushes and rollers in the sink, not in the street.
Avoid using pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers when possible. If you must use yard chemicals, apply only as directed and never right before a storm.
Wash your car where the water and soap won't flow to the street, or take your car to a car wash.
Use a broom, instead of a hose, to clean your paved driveway, sidewalks, and streets.
Pick up after your pets.
Take hazardous waste, such as automotive fluids, yard chemicals, and paints to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.

Stormwater Management Program Plan

The City uses requirements set forth in a State of Missouri permit to develop and maintain a Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMP). This Plan considers individual, household, and public behaviors and activities that can generate pollution within the City.

City of Belton SWMP(PDF, 1004KB)

Stormwater Manangement

The City of Belton storm water drainage system is designed to collect water from storm water runoff (rain and snow melt) and discharge it into area waters around Belton. The City of Belton Transportation Division maintains most of this system, however, some storm drains and outfalls are privately owned or are owned by other agencies such as the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

The City of Belton's storm water drainage system consists of pipe, ditches, catch basins, detention basins, curb inlets and area inlets. This system is separate from the City's sanitary sewer system. For more information on sanitary sewers please see Wastewater Services.

More Information

To find information of how you can help protects Belton's lakes and steams, click on the links below to visit educational web pages provided by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC).

Let's Learn About:

For more information on how you can prevent stormwater pollution, visit the MARC water quality page.

Other educational and involvement opportunities through the Missouri Department of Conservation:

Missouri Stream Team

Who's Monitoring My Watershed Interactive Map

Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Program & Training