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Storm Drainage
Storm Drainage System
The storm drainage system removes rainfall from surface streets and disposes of the accumulated stormwater in drainage basins.
Hanford's storm drainage system consists of 30 pump stations, 56 miles of pipeline ranging in size from 6 to 60 inches, 138 inverted siphons, 974 drainage inlets, and 181 acres of drainage basins and drainage ditches.
Emergencies
For after-hours emergencies, call 559-585-2540.
Storm Water Management Plan
The City of Hanford has developed our Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) to comply with State and Federal regulations and improve the quality of life in our city. The SWMP contains activities to reduce the amount of pollution in the stormwater that runs off into our basins and ditches.
Stormwater originates from rainfall - whatever doesn’t soak into the ground runs off into our basins and ditches. Stormwater starts off relatively free of pollutants, but as it flows over the landscape it picks up substances from our roads, parking lots, and lawns and carries these substances into the basins and ditches. Stormwater is conveyed through a storm drain system, but unlike the sanitary sewer system, it does not go to a treatment plant - it discharges directly to our basins and ditches without any treatment. Many of the substances picked up by the stormwater are harmful to the plants and animals that live in our streams and ponds, which is why it is important for us to reduce stormwater pollution.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
The City's Storm Water Management Program consists of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in six general categories listed below:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Participation and Involvement
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
- Post Construction Storm Water Management in New Development and Redevelopment
- Pollution Prevention / Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
Resources
- Slow the Flow: How to Make Your Landscape Act More like a Sponge - This video helps homeowners understand the impacts of landscaping on stormwater runoff.
- Keeping California Water Clean Video
- Rain in the Drain Flyer (PDF)
- Storm Water Guidance Document (PDF)
- Hanford Stormwater Ordinance Chapter 13.10: Stormwater Service System
- California Construction Storm Water General Permit (2009-0009-DWQ): SWRCB 2009 Construction General Permit
- State Water Resources Control Board: SWRCB Storm Water Program
- California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) - Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) for Construction Sites