The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of urban water quality practices. The
purpose of an urban Best Management Practice (BMP) is to mitigate the adverse impacts of
development activity. BMPs can be employed for stormwater control benefits and/or
pollutant removal capabilities. Several BMP options are available and should be carefully
considered based on site-specific conditions and the overall management objectives of the
watershed. Regulatory control for water quality practices are driven by National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements under such programs as the Clean
Water Act Amendments. These requirements were discussed in chapter 2. Water quality
practices may not be required depending on local ordinances and regulations in specific
project locations.