"After the Storm"
- What is Stormwater Runoff?
- Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
- The effects of pollution
- Stormwater Pollution Solutions
What is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater runoff from naturally soaking into the ground.Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
The effects of pollution
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people.
Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grown. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.
Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can't exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.
Debris - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.
Stormwater Pollution Solutions
ResidentialRecycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't pour them onto the ground or into storm drains. |
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Lawn CareExcess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams. In addition, yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.
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Septic Systems
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Auto CareWashing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a waterbody.
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Pet Waste
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Residential LandscapingPermeable PavementTraditional concrete and asphalt don't allow water to soak into the ground. Instead these surfaces rely on storm drains to divert unwanted water. Permeable pavement systems allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing stormwater runoff. Rain BarrelsYou can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas. Rain Gardens and Grassy SwalesSpecially designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftop areas or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains. Vegetated Filter StripsFilter strips
are areas of native grass or plants created along roadways or
streams. They trap the pollutants stormwater picks up as it flows
across driveways and streets. |
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CommercialDirt, oil, and debris that collect in parking lots and paved
areas can be washed into the storm sewer system and eventually
enter local waterbodies.
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Construction
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AgricultureLack of vegetation on streambanks can lead to erosion. Overgrazed pastures can also contribute excessive amounts of sediment to local waterbodies. Excess fertilizers and pesticides can poison aquatic animals and lead to destructive algae blooms. Livestock in streams can contaminate waterways with bacteria, making them unsafe for human contact.
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ForestryImproperly managed logging operations can result in erosion and sedimentation.
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Automotive Facilities
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For more information visit:
www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwaterwww.epa.gov/nps
EPA 833-B-03-002
January 2003
Note: This web page is an html version of the "After the Storm" flyer ("After the Storm,"Jan. 2003, EPA 833-B-03-002). If you would like to print a copy of this flyer, it is on the EPA Weather Channel page or you may order a free copy from NSCEP.