Stormwater Management

To report an illicit discharge into the City stormwater system, please call 785-832-7800.
To report a stormwater blockage, click here.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is the water that flows over the ground after it rains, snows, or sleets. It can become polluted as it runs over hard surfaces and flows downstream.

All stormwater runoff eventually enters the river. Along the way it may flow along curbs, into storm drains, through pipes, into ditches, and into streams. The City storm system discharges to the river system at dozens of locations.

Stormwater Collection

The city’s stormwater conveyance system is the private and public drainage facilities other than sanitary sewers with the City of Lawrence by which urban run-off may be conveyed to receiving waters, such as the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers.

It includes but is not limited to: roads, streets, constructed channels, aqueducts, storm drains, pipes, street gutters, inlets to storm drains or pipes, and catch basins. 

Resident Information

Lawn Care to Prevent/Reduce Runoff – 

Plant Natives and help reduce rain runoff! Native plants have deep roots that help soak up stormwater and reduce flooding in our area. Spend time this Spring to make native plants a part of your landscape—even a small corner can make a big difference! 

Tips for stormwater friendly lawn care:

  • Only plant species that are suited to the soil type
  • Make a rain garden to help with flood control and runoff
  • Only plant grass in areas that will actually be used as lawn

Find more information and resources on the Planting Natives in Northeast Kansas Website: https://plantnativeks.weebly.com/landscaping-with-native-plants.html

Yard Waste and Leaves – 

Streets are part of the City of Lawrence stormwater collection system. Leaves left along the curb are unable to be picked up by street sweepers and can enter storm drains, increasing the risk of localized flooding and adding pollutants to the receiving streams and rivers.

Four Easy Ways to Handle Your Leaves & Lawn Trimmings:

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste represents a wide variety of wastes that are produced as a result of normal household activities. Among the most common of these are pesticides, paints, solvents, automotive fluids, batteries, chemicals and cleaners.

Each of these products may pose a threat to sanitation workers or public health and the environment when improperly handled or disposed of.

Other Resident Information

Technical Information

Frequently Asked Questions