The City and County of Honolulu is now collecting input from the public as it develops a Storm Water Master Plan, designed to guide management, programs and investments for the next 50 years. Two surveys are open until July 16, where residents can mark the locations of local stormwater concerns, like flooding and stream maintenance, and provide feedback on city priorities like water quality, flood prevention and infrastructure needs.

The surveys come after virtual meetings held by the city in May and early June to gather feedback from community members. Over 115 residents participated in the meetings. Preliminary feedback from these meetings showed that water quality was the highest priority of the community, as well as flood prevention and public safety, climate resilience and watershed management.

“More community feedback will provide important details and we urge all interested to participate and let us know any areas you have experienced problems due to storm water issues,” said Randall Wakumoto, program administrator under the Department of Facility Maintenance, Storm Water Quality Division, in a release Monday.

The plan is being developed through the Storm Water Quality Division and will provide a “framework for the management of Oahu’s system of streams, ditches, pipes, beach mouths and other storm water facilities.”

“We urge more local residents to participate in providing feedback for the Storm Water Master Planning process,” said Roger Babcock Jr., director and chief engineer of the Department of Facility Maintenance, in the release. “Storm water management is one of the most important problems facing our island today, and crafting a plan that incorporates the needs of all Oahu stakeholders is a great priority.”

The surveys can be accessed online at bit.ly/stormwaterplanning, or by calling 768-3220 for a paper copy. Survey respondents can also receive a coupon reward while supplies last.

“Urban storm water runoff — rain water that flows off of impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, parking lots, and pavements into surface waters and storm drains — is a documented and growing threat to Oahu’s water environment,” according to the Oahu Storm Water Utility Feasibility Study published in December.

Stormwater runoff eventually ends up in streams and the ocean, damaging the quality of the water.

“Pollutants in storm water may include antifreeze, grease, oil, and heavy metals from cars; fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals from gardens, homes and businesses; bacteria from pet wastes and failing septic systems; and sediment from poor construction site practices,” said the Washington, D.C., Department of Energy and Environment.

Reducing stream and ocean pollution from stormwater is one of the issues to be addressed by the city’s Storm Water Master Plan.