Stormwater Program

What is stormwater? Stormwater is runoff and surface flows generated from rainfall events.

The city's Stormwater Program helps educate the community on environmental regulations. Chandler works with state and federal regulators to make sure residents understand the effects of stormwater drainage and how to reduce pollutants in the storm drain system.

The city offers free presentations about stormwater pollution prevention for schools, community groups, homeowners and neighborhood associations.

Feedback Requested

The City of Chandler is committed to ensuring the effective management of stormwater within our community. As part of our ongoing efforts to comply with the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements, we are pleased to announce a 30-day public comment period for our Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP).

Your feedback is valuable to the city as we strive to enhance our SWMP. The plan outlines strategies and measures aimed at minimizing the adverse impacts of stormwater runoff on our environment and infrastructure.

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain that flows over land or impervious surfaces such as paved streets, parking lots and rooftops, picking up pollutants along the way. The city’s storm drain system is designed to move the stormwater along conveyances like streets and gutters where it is directed into storm drains or spillways. Eventually stormwater is deposited into retention basins, greenbelt areas, parks and lakes within the community.

The SWMP contains appropriate management practices in each of the six minimum control measure categories:

Public Education and Outreach
Public Participation and Involvement
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE)
Construction Activity Stormwater Runoff Control
Post-Construction Stormwater Management in New Development and Redevelopment
Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

During this public comment period, the city’s Environmental Management Division invites you to review the Stormwater Management Program Plan and provide any comments, questions or suggestions you may have. Your input will help the city refine and improve the plan.

Some of the updates in the draft include updating job titles, code sections and department responsibilities within the city.

Comment/Feedback

This announcement starts the 30-day public comment period. Thank you for your participation in this important process.

When it rains in the City of Chandler, where does stormwater go?

When it rains in urban areas, the stormwater runs off buildings and paved areas instead of soaking into the ground. The stormwater collection system, also known as the storm drain system, is designed to move stormwater 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 and lakes within the community.

Is stormwater treated?

No. The stormwater 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. Stormwater runoff collected in stormwater collection systems is not treated before it infiltrates to groundwater or is discharged to retention basins, greenbelt areas, parks and lakes within the community.

What types of pollutants are commonly found in stormwater?

Common pollutants found in stormwater 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.

Report a Stormwater Concern

Report flooding, stormwater issues, illicit dumping/discharge, standing water or pool drainage.

Report a Concern