During periods of rainfall, storm water accumulates in the swales resulting in flooding of roadways and nearby residential and commercial properties. In some areas, stormwater runoff flows untreated into the Alafia River. This project will reduce flooding in the Gibsonton area by improving the stormwater management infrastructure and improve water quality in the Alafia River by treating storm water before it discharges into the river. This phase of the project includes completing the design, permitting, land acquisition and construction. Construction of the project will include the installation of stormsewer pipes and swales to reduce flooding and two stormwater treatment systems to filter out pollutants before the water is discharged into the Alafia River.
Storm water is water that flows over land during and immediately after a rainstorm.
The Environmental Protection Agency has identified stormwater runoff as our most serious water quality problem today. Pollutants associated with stormwater runoff include sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, oils, greases, pesticides and bacteria. Without proper treatment in developed areas, these pollutants in runoff adversely impact the quality of the receiving water.