Our stormwater infrastructure is very important for our community to function in a healthy and vibrant way. If this infrastructure is not maintained correctly, it can fail, leading to significant and potentially dangerous damage to buildings, property and other infrastructure. The Stormwater Maintenance Group is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance activities that ensure the system of underground pipes, open channels, ditches, and roadways used to collect or convey stormwater function properly. Stormwater Maintenance exists to provide safe, well-drained, durable streets, effective channel maintenance, mowing of rights-of way, and responsive emergency services to all citizens of Norman and their visitors.
In the summer of 2007, the City of Norman selected the firm of Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc. (PBS&J), an engineering, planning and architecture firm, to lead in the study and development of a plan for stormwater management and greenbelt/trails corridor planning. Joining PBS&J in this effort was Vieux, Inc., a local engineering technology firm, as well as Halff Associates that focused on developing a greenbelt/trail master plan. Educating the public on stormwater and greenbelt/trail issues, obtaining input and information from the public on these issues, and working closely with the city staff were of utmost importance and key elements for a successful project. The primary goals of the study and subsequent overall plan were to gain a clear understanding of how stormwater and greenbelt/trail corridors impact our city as well as to develop a plan to manage those elements of our environment in a way that they become resources in building a better Norman.
The City of Norman’s Storm Water Master Plan includes recommendations related to Stormwater Phase II requirements, a Trails/Greenway Master Plan, new floodplain mapping, capital improvement projects, proposed water quality enhancements, drainage easement issues, and financing options. The City of Norman adopted Resolution No. R-1011-120 , a resolution adopting the Storm Water Master Plan Final Report, on June 28th, 2011.