Challenges Impacts of Development Climate Change
Strategies Land Conservation Buffers Low Impact Development Stormwater Utilities Land Use Regulations

Clean water supplies are essential to life, yet many factors threaten our water resources. In particular, the increase in impervious surfaces and dwindling of natural land from development pressure often impair water quality and disrupt the connection between surface waters and groundwater. These negative impacts are compounded by severe storms and sea level rise, phenomena that are expected to increase with global climate change.

Effective water resource management requires that local governments, businesses, community organizations, and residents not only work together, but also that they adopt an integrated approach. Stormwater management is just one of a range of strategies at their disposal. Foremost are policies, programs, and regulations designed to restore watershed function, to manage developed areas, and to protect natural resources.

These pages provide an overview of the major challenges to water resource management in a developing landscape, and the strategies—voluntary, regulatory, and those in between—that communities can use to manage the impacts of land use practices on water quality and quantity.