One Water Approaches to a Regional Stormwater Management Program in Northeast Ohio

The water-related challenges that organizations face vary based on conditions specific to individual watersheds and communities. As a result, integrated planning approaches that organizations use in addressing challenges can take many different forms. As awareness of and interest in One Water continue to increase, it is important to share regional examples of integrated planning approaches to better understand alignment with historical and contemporary guidance. One regional example is the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Regional Stormwater Management Program (RSMP). Through its RSMP, the District completes plans, projects, maintenance, and outreach to reduce flooding and erosion and improve water quality. Three recent projects completed under the RSMP were selected to identify water-related challenges and evaluate alignment with One Water objectives. These projects demonstrate an understanding of regional challenges in relation to the global water cycle and have resulted in integrated solutions that benefit Northeast Ohio’s communities.