Stormwater

Stormwater is water that flows overland during a precipitation event and does not soak into the ground or evaporate.

Paved areas, such as driveways, roof tops, parking lots and streets, contribute to the amount of stormwater that flows through a city as these surfaces are typically impervious and keep precipitation from seeping into the soil and recharging groundwater supplies.

Stormwater ultimately flows into the City's storm sewer system, lakes, and streams. Lee's Summit has
hundreds of acres of lakes and miles of streams that are affect by stormwater.

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area of land whose stormwater flows to a common body of water, such as a nearby creek, stream, river, or lake. As stormwater flows overland, it picks up pollutants from motor oil, lawn chemicals, pet waste, salt, litter, and soil before entering into nearby rivers, lakes streams, and the City's stormwater system — untreated. This untreated stormwater has potential health, safety, environmental, and economic impacts on our watersheds and community.

What is the City doing about local stormwater problems?

The Public Works Department is responsible for addressing stormwater issues within the City. For information on stormwater initiatives in Lee's Summit, visit the Public Works Engineering stormwater page.

What can you do to protect stormwater quality?

Landscape with native plants. For more information, contact Grow Native or 10,000 Rain Gardens.
Never discard trash or yard waste down storm drains or in the street.
Properly dispose of pet waste.
Apply lawn chemicals in a proper manner and in proper quantities.
Redirect or disconnect downspouts to drain rain water onto gardens using a rain barrel. For more information, visit the City's Rain Barrel Workshop page or contact Bridging the Gap.
Wash your car at a car wash where the wash water is properly captured instead of in your driveway where the wash water flows into the storm drain.

Reporting Information:

Report illegal dumping on City property to the Codes Department at 969-1200.
Report illegal dumping elsewhere to the MDNR Illegal Dumping Hotline at 1-800-361-4827.
Report hazardous spills to the City Fire Department at 911.

For more information, contact the Environmental Coordinator at 969-1804 or via email.