The Problem
Pollutants accumulate on impervious surfaces between rainfall events. Frequent, small rains wash pollutants into streams, rivers, and lakes. These pollutants negatively affect water quality.
As communities grow, impervious areas increase. Larger amounts of impervious surfaces cause the volume and rate of storm water runoff to increase. This can result in flooding, stream channel degradation, and increased water pollution in our surface waters.
Pollutants
Storm Water Pollutants Include:
- Bacteria from pet waste
- Illegally dumped pollutants
- Illicit connections to storm sewers
- Oil and grease from car leaks, gas stations, and industrial areas
- Pesticides and nutrients from lawns, parks, and roadsides
- Salt and sand from snow and ice control applications
- Sediment from construction sites
- Thermal effects from sun-heated impervious surfaces
- Trash, such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles