What does effective stormwater management minimize?

Effective stormwater management plays a crucial role in urban planning and environmental protection by aiming to minimize runoff and flooding issues. When rainwater flows over impervious surfaces, such as roads and roofs, it can create excess runoff that overwhelms drainage systems, leading to flooding and erosion. By managing stormwater effectively, communities can reduce the volume and rate of runoff, which in turn mitigates the risk of flooding and protects both property and infrastructure.

Additionally, proper stormwater management helps maintain water quality by filtering pollutants before they enter natural bodies of water. This contributes to healthier ecosystems and can reduce the costs associated with water treatment and flood damage.

Other options, while they may be related to aspects of urban management, do not directly address the core purpose of stormwater management to control and reduce runoff and flooding specifically.