What is the purpose of building codes regarding "stormwater management"?

Building codes regarding stormwater management are designed primarily to manage rainwater runoff effectively. This is essential to reduce flooding and mitigate environmental impacts. When rainwater runs off surfaces like roofs, streets, and parking lots, it can lead to increased volume and velocity of water entering drainage systems and natural waterways, which can cause flooding and ecological disturbances.

By implementing regulations that focus on stormwater management, building codes promote practices such as proper grading, the installation of retention basins, and the use of permeable materials that allow water to infiltrate the ground rather than running off rapidly. These measures help control the quantity and quality of stormwater entering water bodies, thereby protecting water resources and supporting sustainable urban development.

This focus on managing rainwater runoff to reduce potential flooding and negative environmental consequences underscores the significance of stormwater management in building codes, as they aim to create safer, more resilient communities. The other options do not directly address these key objectives of stormwater management and consequently lack the focus on the critical environmental and safety aspects intended by building codes.