Stormwater Quality

Clean Water is Important to All of Us

Did you know that stormwater pollution is the number one source of water pollution in the country? Stormwater pollution comes from our everyday behaviors around our homes and businesses. Oil leaking from a car, using too much fertilizer and leaving behind pet waste all contribute to water pollution. Each of us can do small things to help clean up our water which adds up to a pollution solution!

Why Do We Need Clean Water?

Clean water is vital for our health and economy. Clean water provides opportunities for recreation, business, wildlife and fish habitat, and provides drinking water. Colorado is known for its gold medal streams that provide great trout fishing, and the Poudre River is known for providing great rafting and kayaking experiences. Our rivers and streams are what make Larimer County such a great place to live and work. We all benefit from clean water - and we all have a role in ensuring our lakes and rivers are healthy and clean. For valuable stormwater-related resources, please visit our Helpful Links and Stormwater Videos pages.

Helpful Links    Stormwater Videos

Larimer County Residents and Businesses, you can help!

Ordinary tasks like washing your car, changing your car’s oil, or taking your pet for a walk can affect our local waterways. There are many simple things you can do to help improve water quality in Larimer County.

What to Do in the Event of a Spill?

• Report Emergency Spills or Illegal Dumping By Calling 911.

  Emergency spills include hazardous materials, large volumes of contaminants or contaminants that are potentially life-threatening or harmful to the environment. It also includes spills or illegal dumping directly into a storm drain, stream, river or lake.

• Report Non-Emergency Spills or Illegal Dumping.

  You can report a variety of incidents such as environmental spills, sanitary sewer overflows, and chemical or hazardous releases to air, waterways, storm drains, or the ground by calling the Colorado Incident Reporting Line at (877) 518-5608 or by by using their Online Incident Reporting System during regular business hours.  

  You can also contact the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment at (970) 498-6775 for assistance during regular business hours. Health Department staff can assess whether the spill poses a threat to public health and/or the environment and help you with information on cleanup procedures, or you can file a complaint with the Larimer County Health Department.

  After hours, if you do not think the situation can wait until regular business hours, please call the sheriff's dispatch line at (970) 416-1985 and ask to have the Health Department paged.

Stormwater Standards

Larimer County adopted the Larimer County Stormwater Design Standards, which provides the drainage and water quality criteria for all new stormwater design and construction activity. The Standards incorporate the Mile High Flood District Manual with amendments that are unique to Larimer County. You can find the Standards at our Development Review and Design Standards webpages.

Volume 3 of the Manual is specific to stormwater quality. Adherence to these standards reduces stormwater pollution and helps protect our waterways.