Stormwater Resources for Homeowners

1. NEIGHBORHOOD VISITS AND RESOURCES

Presentations for and visits to neighborhoods

The City of Bloomington Utilities offers a number of ways to work with stormwater.  We are in the process of bringing back and updating our neighborhood visits program for the first time since the pandemic began.  The effort will include presentations for and visits to neighborhoods.  In the meantime, grants are available (see, "1.  Residential Stormwater Grants" (above).  Please watch this site for more information, it will be updated as the initiative evolves.

The intent is to improve the quality and quantity of stormwater while sustainably managing drainage and erosion concerns.

Credit: Tenth Acre Farm

Example projects include those for green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, vegetated buffer strips and swales, culvert replacements, and more.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like more information.

Interested in neighborhood improvement, in general?  Check out the City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development website.

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3. STORMWATER RESOURCES/EDUCATION SERIES

We hear you! An educational series, bringing together expertise from various departments and community organizations, is in the works for residents, homeowners, neighborhood associations, and homeowner associations based upon observations derived by stormwater concerns expressed through the Residential Stormwater Grants program and more.  The program includes expertise from related City departments and community organizations in a "one-stop-shopping" format.  Our intent is to provide proactive, positive and productive education on stormwater to limit its negative impacts on land and the built environment (of particular importance as our climate changes) to help with quality of life aspects. 

The evolving series consists of resources, short videos, presentations, and more.

Resources

Stormwater Fun Fact (thanks to local researchers):  Cicada holes and (storm)water infiltration. 

• Local!  And, a good overview to start with...  City of Bloomington Utilities - Water Works, Sewer Works, and Stormwater Video (10:29)
• Local!  Press Release - Press Release regarding stormwater information for neighborhoods
• Local!  City of Bloomington Plants Fact Sheet - Which plants should I use and not use? - Plants to consider
• Local!  Switchyard Park Field Guide - Green infrastructure and native plants in action
• Local!  NEW!  Switchyard Park Landscaping Plant Field Guide
• Local!  Monroe County Stormwater's Rain Garden Page - Rain garden information
• Local!  Monroe County Rain Garden Starter Guide - Great ideas for starting a rain garden!
• Local!  Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species - Including FREE native plants for reducing invasive species and the Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species 2026 Challenge)
• Local!  Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species - 2022 target species:  Callery Pear
• Local!  Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management - Invasive plant management in southern Indiana
• Local! Indiana University - Environmental Resilience Institute - Preparing for our changing climate and more
• Local!  Purdue University - Climate Change Research Center - Preparing for our changing climate and more
• Local!  IDNR District Forester - see, "District 18 - Monroe, Owen counties"
• Local!  The City of Bloomington's Grants webpage - For the Residential Stormwater Grants program and beyond
• Local!  Indianapolis area and beyond. White River Alliance, Stormwater Landscape Maintenance Training for HOAs.
• Local!  City of Bloomington Stormwater Related Ordinances
• Local! City of Bloomington Stormwater Fee rate Information
• Local!  Community Justice and Mediation Center
• Local!  Press Release (November 17, 2022):  Fall and Winter Tips: Options for Leaves, and Keeping Sidewalks and Storm Drains Clear
• Local!  Monroe County Organizations Active in Disaster - Tips on preparing your home for heavy rainfall, how to get involved and more
• Climate Psychology Alliance of North America
• Shades of Green Permaculture - Working permaculture concepts into your design
• Rainscaping - Missouri Botanical Gardens - A great resource for landscaping while keeping rain in mind
• Rain Garden Alliance
• Grass Swales - Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Vegetated Swales - Dauphin County Conservation District
• Swale Fact Sheet - Sussex Conservation District
• Grass Drainage Swale - Hartford County Government
• Homeowners Guide to Stormwater - An overview of stormwater management for homeowners (although written for a different area, it contains good information that can be inferred for Bloomington)
• Watch this video from the Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management - Pond Maintenance Tips
• Watch this video, "What can I do with all these leaves?!?", read this brochure, and visit the city's "leafing" home page - What to do with all those leaves?
• Stormwater Ponds:  Inspection and Maintenance Considerations - Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center
• Pools and Other Water Features Brochure - Information on how to drain pools and other water features
• Pools and Other Water Features Poster - Information on how to drain pools and other water features
• Stormwater Utility Credit Manual

A note about plants: Something to keep in mind regarding plants for your project... As of April 18, 2020, the Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule(312 IAC 18-3-25) went into effect. There are 44 plants on the regulated list. They tend to be invasive and some actually harm water quality. For example, bush honeysuckles even exude chemicals that keep other plants from growing nearby, hence encouraging runoff and soil loss. Therefore, it is now illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce them without a permit. Native plants are a better choice as they are adapted to local climates, support pollinators, and generally have longer roots to hold soil in place.

Topics include:

• A definition of stormwater in context to Bloomington and the surrounding area
• Our changing climate and its impact on stormwater (and your property)
• Adapting to the challenges
• Local soils in relation to the built environment
• Landscaping techniques to prevent erosion and preserve soil (and benefit structures)
• Stormwater practices that help with drainage concerns
• Connecting parcels and working at a watershed level
• Maintenance of stormwater features, including rain gardens, swales, dry creek beds, ponds, etc.
• Public/private and green/gray infrastructure interfaces
• Working together for mutual benefit
• Available grants and other City-related endeavors that coordinate nicely with the Residential Stormwater Grants program
• Good examples
• Other steps communities can take to help with stormwater quality and quantity concerns
• Possibilities
• Resources
• More!

Background education titles include (slideshow):

1. Watersheds and Weather