If you’ve lived in Middle Tennessee for any length of time, you know how fast a sunny day can turn into a torrential downpour. For homeowners, that can mean pooling water in the yard, overflowing gutters, or even water creeping toward the foundation.

Managing stormwater in Nashville is about protecting your largest investment and keeping your family safe.

Remembering Recent Floods and LocalLessons

Many Nashvillians still remember the 2010 flood and other major storm events that followed. Neighborhoods along creeks and low-lying areas saw roads washed out, homes damaged, and entire blocks reshaped by water. Flood-prone watersheds like Richland Creek have since received more attention and investment in flood risk management, but the threat of heavy rain and flash flooding is still very real for homeowners today. 

Those big, headline-grabbing events are important, but the smaller, repeated storms can be just as damaging over time. A soggy backyard, a constantly damp crawl space, or erosion along a property line are all warning lights you don’t want to ignore.

Why Stormwater in Nashville is a Growing Concern

As Nashville grows, more rooftops, driveways, and parking lots replace the open land that used to soak up rainfall. That means stormwater has fewer places to go, so it runs off faster and in greater volume. When that runoff is not well managed, it can:

  • Overwhelm yard drainage and push water toward your home’s foundation
  • Cause soil erosion, especially on sloped lots
  • Flood driveways, garages, and basements
  • Carry pollutants like oil, lawn chemicals, and trash into local streams

Metro’s stormwater regulations and fees help fund citywide improvements, but individual properties still need thoughtful design and consistent maintenance. The good news: there’s a lot you can do as a homeowner to reduce risks on your own property.

Practical Ways to Manage Stormwater Around Your Home

When you’re thinking about stormwater on your property, it helps to work from the roof down and look at how water moves across your lot.

  • Start with gutters and downspouts: Clean gutters at least twice a year, and more often if you have large trees nearby. Make sure downspouts extend several feet away from your foundation or into a drainage system, not just onto a splash block right by the house.
  • Regrade areas where water collects: If water routinely pools near your foundation, you may need minor grading work to create a gentle slope away from the home. Even a few inches of elevation change can make a big difference over several feet.
  • Consider French drains or catch basins: In problem spots, buried perforated pipe wrapped in gravel can collect water and redirect it to a safer discharge point. Catch basins can pick up surface water in low spots and connect to these systems.
  • Use landscaping to slow and soak water: Deep-rooted plants, mulched beds, and rain gardens help the soil absorb more water and reduce erosion. Native plants typically handle both drought and heavy rain better than ornamental species.
  • Choose permeable surfaces when you can: If you’re replacing a driveway, patio, or walkways, ask about permeable pavers or other materials that allow water to infiltrate instead of running straight off into the street.

Partnering with Your HOA and Neighbors

Water doesn’t respect property lines, so managing it well often means working together. If you live in a subdivision with shared detention ponds, bioswales, or other drainage features, those structures are critical to handling stormwater in Nashville.

Talk with your HOA or property manager about:

  • Who is responsible for maintaining ponds, inlets, and outlets
  • How often inspections are happening
  • Whether erosion, overgrown vegetation, or clogged structures have been reported

If you’ve noticed recurring issues, document them with photos and dates. That information can help your community prioritize maintenance or seek professional help.

When DIY Isn’t Enough: Professional Stormwater Support

Some issues are simply too big or too complex for homeowner fix-it projects. Properties with detention ponds, underground storage systems, bioretention areas, or manufactured treatment devices need specialized inspection and maintenance to stay compliant and functional. 

In these cases, a professional stormwater partner can:

  • Inspect and document existing systems for regulatory compliance
  • Clean and repair inlets, outlets, and underground structures
  • Remove sediment and debris from ponds and basins
  • Recommend upgrades that improve performance and reduce long-term costs

If your property (or HOA) has an environmental permit, you may be required to perform regular inspections and keep detailed records. Missing those obligations can lead to violation letters, fines, or expensive emergency repairs.

How EverGreen Infrastructure Helps Homeowners Stay Ahead

EverGreen Infrastructure is a Nashville-based stormwater inspection and maintenance company that focuses on keeping permitted systems on track for property owners and homeowner associations across the region. We provide turn-key solutions—inspection, cleaning, repair, and documentation—so that stormwater systems function correctly and stay in compliance with local and state requirements. 

If you’re concerned about how your property is handling heavy rain, consider reaching out to us at EverGreen Infrastructure for a consultation.