Stormwater in Arizona

Abstract

Managing stormwater is important to reduce flooding, keep people safe, maintain clean water, and to reduce soil erosion. Cities have built systems of streets, washes, channels, and stormdrains to manage stormwater and direct it to major washes. Because stormwater drains from small washes to these larger watercourses, keeping stormwater clean is also important. The next time it rains, consider how the rain affects you. Do you want to go outside and play in the raindrops and puddles? What happens to the streets in your neighborhood? Do you live near any washes that flow when it rains? Where does your stormwater go?