Stormwater Management

Stormwater runoff is the water generated when rain, snow melt, and surface drainage flows over roof tops, land, parking lots, streets, sidewalks or driveways and does not percolate into the ground.

We all live in a water shed. Its simplest definition, a watershed is an area of land that drains to a common body of water, such as a nearby creek, stream, river, or lake.
You might not think very much about the water that finds its way into our storm drains, streams, rivers and lakes from rain, snowmelt, yard watering, car washing, swimming pools, sump pumps and other sources. But stormwater and runoff can cause pollution, flooding and other problems.

Managing stormwater and runoff is an important part of the Leawood Public Works Department’s mission. We have prepared this section of our Web site to provide easy-to-find information about our stormwater and runoff services, pollution sources, flooding and rules and regulations, as well as a convenient way to report stormwater and runoff problems.
The information provided here is intended to help Leawood residents and businesses, as well as builders and others whose activities affect our land and water, make decisions and take actions that preserve one of our most valuable resources — water.

Stormwater runoff picks up sediment, contaminants, litter, nutrients, and other pollutants which then discharge untreated water into our waterways. Unmanaged stormwater could adversely affect these waterways by causing water pollution, stream bank erosion, and even flooding.

Constructing Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to capture rain water where it lands and infiltrating or slowing down the stormwater will allow pollutants and sediment to settle out before they have a chance to discharge directly into waterways. BMP’s are treatment facilities or measures, including rain barrels, rain gardens, bio-swales, stream buffers, native vegetation filter strips, stream bank stabilization and silt fence which reduce pollutant runoff. BMP’s will help improve the water quality of our streams, creeks, and ponds, which ultimately improve water quality downstream in the Blue River, and Brush Creek.

The City of Leawood and the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program have budgeted $3,000 for a BMP cost share reimbursement program. This program is an innovative approach to controlling stormwater quality impacts caused by stormwater runoff. The goal of this program is to encourage individual landowners and businesses to construct BMPs on their property to improve water quality. The program is intended to help cover the cost of materials, equipment rentals, and/or contractor labor to install such facilities. The City of Leawood and the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program will provide a 50% match on BMPs, up to $1,000 for rain gardens or native planting bio-swales/stream buffers, a 50% match on rain barrels, up to $75 and a 50% match on native trees up to $150. Funding is available to applicants on a first come, first serve basis and is subject to the approval of the Public Works Department. Funding will not be allowed for BMPs that are required for residential or commercial projects/developments.

If you are interested in installing a stormwater treatment facility on your property, review the program requirements guidelines before filling out an application form.

1. The applicant shall be responsible for all project costs. The City of Leawood will provide reimbursement after the costs have been incurred. The City of Leawood will not reimburse for expenditures prior to the application date. After submitting all final costs and receipts, the City of Leawood will reimburse the applicant.
2. The project must be completed by October 31, 2023.
3. For rain garden, bio-swale, or stream buffer, the City of Leawood will require access to your property for evaluation of the application, prior to the start of construction, during construction, and after construction is complete for final inspection of the project.
4. For rain barrel, the City of Leawood will require access to your property for final inspection after the rain barrel is installed and is in use, and a copy of receipt is submitted.
5. Implementation of an approved project is the sole responsibility of the property owner. The City of Leawood is not liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from said work.
6. Projects approved for funding carry no implied warranty by the City of Leawood.
7. The funded practice shall be maintained for a minimum period of three years. All maintenance costs are the responsibility of the property owner.
8. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all applicable permits. This application approval does not constitute a permit. This includes notifying Kansas One Call before digging.

Instructions:

1. Fill out the application. Attach a map, project summary/description, cost summary, project schedule, and pre-construction photographs. Supporting information not required for rain barrel applications.
2. Include any cost estimates or quotes.
3. Make sure the application is signed by the property owner.
4. Submit the completed application and all required documents to: Leawood Public Works – Contain the Rain, City of Leawood, 4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood, KS 66211
5. After application approval, contact Public Works prior to starting the project for an initial inspection.
6. Call Public Works for a final inspection after the project is completed.  Submit final receipts to Public Works for approval and payment.