Best Management Practices

In order to combat stormwater pollution, the County is asking residents to install and implement stormwater best management practices (BMPs). BMPs can slow or absorb stormwater runoff that is carried over impervious surfaces like rooftops, driveways, and sidewalks that convey any exposed pollutants into our local waterways.

Some common homeowner BMPs are:

  • Rain Gardens
  • Rain Barrels
  • Micro-bioretentions
  • Bioswales
  • Conservation Landscaping
  • Tree Plantings

The functionality of these practices requires routine maintenance to get the full preventative potential that they can provide to our waterways. Below are some brochures to help guide you through the steps of maintaining your BMP.

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Taking some of these actions can also earn you points in the Green Homes Challenge - Green Leader Challenge! Visit FrederickGreenChallenge.org to get started!

  1. Bioswales
  2. Dry Wells
  3. Micro-Bioretentions
  4. Porous Pavement
  5. Rain Gardens
  6. Stormwater Management Ponds
  7. Rain Barrels

Facility maintenance guide

A bioswale is a landscaping feature that facilitates the slowing, collecting, and filtering of stormwater in a depressed, concentrated area. They are designed to manage a large quantities of stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces, like a parking lot or street. They are generally linear systems that are greater in length than width, and are vegetated with plants that can withstand both heavy watering and drought.

Benefits of a bioswale: 

  • - Reduces standing water that attracts mosquitoes
  • - Allows pollutants to be filtered out of the stormwater
  • - Increases aesthetics by providing green space