The Stormwater Treatment program designs, implements and evaluates engineered systems that reduce pollution in our creeks, lakes and aquifers. The program seeks to use stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product.
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 to prevent or reduce pollution from non-point sources.
The Watershed Protection Department retrofits water quality controls in developed watersheds, and provides guidance to developers constructing controls via
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions
Guidance Documents
- Environmental Criteria Manual
- Drainage Criteria Manual
- Mission Integration Plan for Capital Improvement Projects Process
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Manual
Technical Information
- The City of Austin’s Stormwater Load Analysis Tool (SLAT) is meant to accompany the Environmental Criteria Manual, Section 1.6.9, for sites within the Barton Springs Zone. It calculates a proposed development’s pollutant load.
- SLAT 2.1 (Download with Firefox, Chrome, or IE9+)
- SLAT - 2.1 User Manual
- Wet Pond water balances spreadsheet
- Appendix T: Request for Fee In Lieu of Water Quality Controls in the Urban Watersheds
- Appendix T Instructions
Biofiltration Media
East Austin Environmental Initiative 