Stormwater is rainwater that runs off streets, lawns and other sites. When stormwater is adsorbed into the soil, it is filtered and ultimately replenishes aquifers or flows into streams and rivers. The City of Newman stormwater drains into the San Joaquin River.
Stormwater is regulated in the United States by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. The NPDES Program regulates some storm water discharges from three potential sources: municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial activities. Operators of these sources might be required to obtain an NPDES permit before they can discharge stormwater. This permitting process is designed to prevent stormwater runoff from washing harmful pollutants into local surface water like rivers and streams.
