Stormwater Literature

RAIN BARRELS

What is a rain barrel?

A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for watering plants and gardens. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally pour off your roof directly or flow through roof gutter downspouts and become stormwater runoff, the leading type of residential non-point source of pollution. Depending on your yard, this runoff can travel onto paved surfaces and eventually into a storm drain.

Why Use Rain Barrels?

Rain barrels conserve water and help lower costs (a rain barrel can save approximately 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months).

Rain barrels reduce water pollution by reducing stormwater runoff, which can contain pollutants like sediment, oil, grease, bacteria and nutrients.

Rain barrels are inexpensive, easy to build and install.

Rain barrels can also be arranged to slowly release the collected rainfall to areas that can soak up the water, reducing stormwater runoff and increasing groundwater recharge.

Would you like to build your own rain barrel?  Tennessee Yards & Neighbors has put togther instructions as well as suppliers in the area.  Click here to view the information.

OTHER STORMWATER LITERATURE

Click here to view the Effective Rain to Drain Management brochure.  Learn more about stormwater, how it impacts your neighborhoods, and what you can do around your home to ensure proper stormwater drainage. The brochure also answers your questions on flood insurance and where you can find more information.

Click here to view the Stormwater Pollution Prevention brochure.  Learn what stormwater is, why it is important, how pollution effects stormwater, and what you can do to prevent stormwater pollution.

Click here to view the Stormwater Management Handbook.

Click here to view A Guide To Traveling Tennessee's Watersheds

Paint Disposal

Pet Waste Disposal

Yard Waste Disposal

FEMA Flood Insurance: Mandatory or Optional (but available to everyone)

Homes and businesses with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders in high-risk flood areas (i.e. Zones A and AE – 100-year flood plain) are required to have flood insurance. While flood insurance is not federally required if you live in a moderate-to-low risk flood area (i.e. all other areas in Collierville), it is still available and strongly recommended.  Go to this FEMA link for more information.

Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Town of Collierville

These maps are available for viewing and use on the internet. Click on the internet link given below. If you have questions, call the Engineering Department at 457-2340 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Collierville

What do I do when FEMA issues a revision to a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) which affects my previously issued Letter of Map Correction (LOMC)?

Stormwater Drainage

Quite often drainage issues arise in which no Town drainage structures or easements are involved. As subdivisions mature, it is important to keep in mind that, drainage patterns change. Over time, fences, swimming pools, flowerbeds and sheds are built. Trees, bushes and other vegetation get larger and larger. Without proper homeowner planning and maintenance, all of the above mentioned items can adversely effect storm water runoff, not only on the subject property but for that of the neighbors’ properties as well.

Property owners have the responsibility of allowing stormwater runoff to enter and exit his/her property without altering impacts upstream or downstream of his/her property. The southeastern United States uses the "Civil Law " to govern drainage disputes between property owners.