Stormwater management is the process or the action of dealing with the quantity and quality of stormwater. This consists of structural and manufactured control devices and systems (e.g. retention ponds) for the treatment of dirty stormwater, as well as functional or procedural practices. Management of stormwater is very important, especially in urban areas where stormwater runoff is often a worry.

Stormwater is not merely water that is brought by down pours and stormy weather. The term includes almost all water from precipitation events, including snow or runoff water caused by overwatering. Stormwater is of concern for two main reasons. The first reason is connected to the amount and timing of runoff water (such as flood control and water supplies) and the other relates to the likely pollutants that the water is carrying.

Unlike loose earth and sand, impervious areas such as parking lots, streets, buildings, as well as compacted soil do not allow rain to filter into the earth. This is the reason more runoff water will be created in metropolitan areas and urbanized locations compared to rural or forested locations. This is unfortunate and may also end up being harmful to the environment because as opposed to being spent as runoff water, it could have replenished groundwater or supply stream base flow in dry weather.

Stormwater solutions research shows that added runoff can erode watercourses, such as streams and rivers, as well as lead to floods if the stormwater collection process is overpowered with the extra flow. If not correctly handled, runoff water due to serious or continuous rain can cause significant destruction to human lives and property.

Dirty runoff can result from impurities entering surface waters during precipitation events. It's not as rare as one might believe. Routine human activities deposit contaminants on the highways, lawns, rooftops, farm areas along with surfaces. These are gathered by runoffs and then ultimately wind up in rivers, lakes and oceans in substantial quantities.

In a few areas, contaminated runoff from streets and highways could be the largest cause of water pollution. Other complications of polluted stormwater are stream erosion, weed invasion as well as changes of natural flow patterns. Unfortunately, many native types count on those patterns and flow levels for breeding, development and migration. Many stormwater treatment techniques were created to eliminate pollutants from the runoffs before they pollute surface waters or even groundwater resources.

Management of stormwater can be source control, so that unsafe materials are controlled to avoid release of contaminants into the natural environment. However, normal rivers that still exist or may be rehabilitated can be obtained and safeguarded. Building soft structures such as ponds, swales or wetlands to work with existing or "hard" water flow systems (like pipes and concrete channels) can also be effective in managing runoffs.

Stormwater management can be more successful by teaching people about how exactly human activities have an impact on water quality and also what they can do to better the situation. Current laws and ordinances need to be enhanced to address extensive stormwater requirements and ensure that property owners take into account the effects of stormwater prior to, during and following development of their land. Overall, people working together with the law could make a difference in minimizing the unwanted side effects of stormwater runoff on the natural environment.