Best Management Practices (BMPs)  for water quantity are designed to detain stormwater and either 1) release it slowly to reduce flashy flows downstream, or 2) infiltrate it into the soil where it can recharge the groundwater.

The best way to control stormwater quality and quantity is to route stormwater away from storm drains to places it can be taken-up by plants and/or infiltrate into the soil. Often, major gains in stormwater management can be made simply by changing the direction of a downspout to drain into landscaped or lawn areas and away from impervious surfaces (e.g. concrete or asphalt).

• Increase infiltration and fertility of your lawn by improving soil quality. Ideally, aerate your lawn every other year. Lawn aerators can be rented at local tool rental store. 

• Mulch grass clippings and leaves into the soil by mowing over them.

• Instead of concrete, use use pavers with a pervious joint filler for sidewalks, patios, and driveways - this is a great way to minimize impervious surface area on your property.

• Add a rain barrels to collect stormwater from your downspouts.  This water can be used to water your gardens, or it can simply be released into the lawn during dry periods. Residents can sign up for a rain barrel workshop with Hamilton County Soil and Water at https://www.hcswcd.org/rain-barrel-workshop.html

• Add a rain garden to your landscaped area to detain stormwater.  Rain gardens in strategic locations will intercept a large proportion of the stormwater coming off your property.

Water quality BMPs keep potential pollutants out of streams.  This is achieved by 1) keeping pollutants covered and out of the flow path of stormwater, or 2) separating pollutants that have already been picked up by stormwater through settling in detention areas or filtering through soil or a similar medium.

Many don't realize it, but all of these are threats to downstream water quality: pet waste, soap from car washing, pool/hot tub water, oil/gasoline, paints, batteries, leaking dumpster fluids, etc. 

• Residents can learn more about keeping stormwater clean from Hamilton County Public Health. Hamilton County Public Health operates a hotline that residents can use to report storm water pollution - (513) 946-7000.

• Learn about how to properly dispose of household hazardous materials at http://www.takebackyourhome.org

You can minimize the impact of your lawn care practices on local streams in several ways:

• Do not apply fertilizer during dry summer months - when there is no moisture in the soil for the plants to uptake, photosynthesis stops - and so does uptake of nutrients (fertilizers). 

• Do not spray lawns within a day of a heavy rain event.

• Avoid spraying in or near streams/ditches/drainages.

• Fertilize less often. Some lawns may not need to be fertilized nearly as often as others depending on your soil and soil maintenance practices.  Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District can supply local residents and organizations with soil test kits (at reduced cost) so that residents can have confidence that they are applying what they need and nothing more. https://www.hcswcd.org/soil-fertility.html

• Riparian buffers - If you live around a streambank, planting woody vegetation is one of the most important things you can do to contribute to healthy streams.  Riparian buffers provide streambank stability, flood control, stormwater filtering, and habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.