Home builders are important allies in the fight to reduce stormwater runoff. To help with this, we provide an overview of Best Management Practices provided by the City of Lenexa. These BMPs have the goal of reducing runoff from impervious surfaces and increasing retention and infiltration of runoff. You can take a virtual tour of BMPs in Johnson County by clicking here

Leave natural vegetation: During construction you should minimize the amount of disturbance to natural grades and native vegetation. One way this can be done is by utilizing existing topography to create natural drainage systems and preserving existing vegetation, especially trees.

Stop erosion: Erosion and sediment control must be maintained throughout the duration of the project and the street be maintained clean of gravel and mud.

Infiltration: Increasing the infiltration of stormwater reduces runoff. Minimizing the amount of impervious surfaces (concrete, asphalt, etc.) in order to maximize the amount of infiltration will allow soils to retain and cleanse stormwater. Use grassed or vegetated swales and infiltration systems to help remove pollutants from stormwater runoff.

Don't overload existing waterways: Only use wetlands and water bodies to receive or treat runoff when it is assured that these natural systems will not be overloaded or degraded.

Water Quality: Address water quality as well as water quantity. Water quality can be improved by increasing infiltration into soils and using techniques that remove pollutants.

This can be done with catch basins, sediment basins, porous pavements, vegetated filter strips, ponds and wetlands.

Flooding risks: Reduce peak flows in streams that are due to the rapid influx of stormwater runoff in order to minimize the likelihood of soil erosion, stream channel instability, flooding and habitat destruction.

Preserve open spaces: Consider using alternative site design techniques, which include narrowed streets, pervious pavements, ribbon curbs with open drainage, as well as an increased density of buildings to preserve open spaces.

You aren't alone: Always take into consideration that there are other developments in your watershed, and that streams and rivers experience the cumulative impact of all of them. 

Help to develop a bmp maintenance plan: When completing a project, provide a maintenance schedule for the home association that designates management practices, and specifies who will be responsible for maintenance.