stormwater

noun

storm·​wa·​ter ˈstȯrm-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: rainwater produced by a storm

a stormwater management system

As stormwater runs over lawns, streets and other man-made surfaces, it picks up pollutants—phosphorous and nitrogen from fertilizers, bacteria from pet waste and road salt, to name a few—and carries them into local streams and lakes.

—Delen Goldberg

This rainfall "of biblical proportions," as the local newspaper described it, swamped the city in waist-high stormwater.

—Christopher Cooper and Robert Block

Examples of stormwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Barrios said the proposal, which could change before it’s finalized, now calls for new revenue to be divided up with a heavy emphasis on stormwater and water infrastructure. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025

The funds, which will be paid back over 20 years, also will be put toward final site work, including grading, paving and the installation of several stormwater ponds and the demolition of old, decommissioned infrastructure. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Dec. 2025

Provides exceptions for local government policies that address stormwater, flooding, drinking water and sewer systems. —Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

Construction is underway in an Oakland Park neighborhood to install sidewalks, add swales, and lay new stormwater drainage. —Ted Scouten, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stormwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater