email
print
Stormwater
From CopperWiki
Stormwater is the flow of water that results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt. Following rainfall some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants, and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. Stormwater is the rest of the precipitation that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas.
Contents |
[edit] Why should I be aware of this?
- Stormwater runoff can have a number of impacts. Following rapid development of an area, the soil and vegetation’s natural capacity to infiltrate and take up rainfall decreases, and more rainfall becomes stormwater runoff. This can cause increased flooding and consequently erosion of land areas and stream banks. The flooding can carry pollutants to surface waters.
- If the area has high concentration of constructions, water has nowhere to go and can cause serious drainage, pollutant, and sanitation problems
[edit] All about stormwater
Unmanaged stormwater runoff causes serious damage to streams, lakes and estuaries, particularly where land uses change from rural to urban activities.
[edit] Three big problems
Poorly managed stormwater causes three big problems:
- Pollution which stormwater causes contaminates waters, closes local businesses, and harms or kills fish and other wildlife. Passing over developed land it picks up pollutants and transports them to the nearest storm drain.
- Flooding harms streams and wetlands and destroys habitat needed for fish and other wildlife. As stormwater is unable to soak into the ground, it quickly flows or floods downstream from developed land and can damage homes and businesses.
- Can cause water shortage. The impervious surfaces keep rainfall from soaking into the ground and replenishing ground water and streams used for drinking water or fish habitat.
[edit] Causes of pollution
Stormwater runoff gets polluted whenever people use or alter the land. Through activities in our daily lives we create stormwater pollutants as most of us are unaware of how they impact water quality. Some common examples include over fertilizing lawns, excessive pesticide use, not picking up pet waste, using salt or fertilizer to de-ice driveways, letting oil drip out of their vehicles and littering.
Other contributors include forest harvesting activities, roadways, and malfunctioning septic systems.
[edit] The effects of pollution
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people. [1]
- 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.
[edit] What can I do?
- Always recycle used oil, antifreeze and other fluids. Never dump down the drain. Fix oil leaks in your vehicles.
- Avoid washing your car in the driveway and instead send it to a commercial car wash. If you have to wash at home, wash it on your lawn.
- Don’t use your car at least one day each week and take a bus, carpool or bike to work.
- Combine errands when you drive. Get vehicle emissions checked and repaired. Buy a low emission vehicle.
- Cut down on fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Don't fertilize before a rainstorm. Consider using organic fertilizers. Compost or mulch lawn clippings. Preserve existing trees or plant new ones - trees hold rainfall and help manage stormwater.
- Remove part or all of your lawn and replace with native, drought-resistant plants. Add compost to planting soil and dress it with mulch to improve plant growth and reduce stormwater runoff.
- If you are on a septic system, remember that they require regular inspections, maintenance and pumping.
- Properly dispose of your dog's poop. Maintain fences and other structures to keep cows, horses and other animals out of streams. Compost manure in a designated area so that it doesn't wash off into nearby waterways.
- Choose to live in a neighborhood that provides you with all conveniences- low maintenance homes and lawns, nearby shopping, walking paths, easy-access to buses and trains, and green, open spaces to enjoy.
