Urbanization and land development may have dramatic impacts on water quality and quantity if left unchecked. Many areas of Austin developed before 1980 do not have any water quality controls. In the early 1980s, due to rising concerns about non-point source pollution associated with urban development, the City of Austin began requiring new development to provide stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs are controls, both structural and non-structural, designed to prevent or reduce pollution from non-point sources.

In addition, the Watershed Protection & Development Review Department created a formal program to retrofit water quality controls in developed watersheds. This program looks at individual watersheds to determine suitable locations and types of treatment systems. The City of Austin has numerous water quality CIP projects throughout the City.

The Stormwater Treatment program also provides guidance to developers constructing controls via our Guidance Documents and Technical Information.