Almost every property discharges some stormwater into the public drainage systems, even if it is not noticeable to you. Many properties generally discharge runoff during snow melt when ground conditions are frozen. If absolutely no stormwater drains from your property, even during severe storms or periods of frozen ground, you may still be served by the existence of a regional stormwater program.
Public properties also discharge to the public drainage system, thus stormwater from the roads you drive on, parks you recreate in, and emergency service facilities you rely on contribute to stormwater pollution. Keep in mind that a lot of stormwater does run off from other properties. Properly controlling that stormwater runoff is a very real service to you and other property owners.
The pollutants in stormwater go to area creeks, streams, and lakes and affect the health of people, fish, wildlife and other natural resources that depend on those habitats. That same water is pumped for irrigation on crops and for use in drinking water. Stormwater quality affects everyone, even though the sources are generally a result of urbanization.