Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impermeable surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants. Anything that enters a storm sewer system (typically through a street drain) is discharged into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

What are the biggest stormwater problems?

• Sedimentcan cloud the water and make it difficult for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats.
• Excess nutrientscan cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water harming aquatic organisms.
• Bacteria and other pathogenscan wash into swimming areas and create health hazards.
• 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 wasteslike 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 can affect drinking water sources. This, in turn, can impact human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

The Trouble with Stormwater Runoff