What is Stormwater?

Posted in: Boards & Commissions, 5/6/2007 2:28 PM

WHAT IS STORMWATER?

Rain or snowmelt runoff that accumulates in natural and/or constructed storage facilities and storm water systems during and immediately following a storm event.

Pollution from Stormwater

Given the above technical definition, Township would like to help you understand why storm water is important to our community.Stormwater from rainfall is essentially "clean".It's when the rain turns into "stormwater" it becomes a potential problem.When rains hits the ground and begins to flow it is called stormwater.When stormwater flows over the man made surfaces such as lawns, driveways and parking lots, it picks up pollutants and carries them to the nearest stormwater inlet.From the inlet the storm water flows through a system of underground pipes to where it is discharged into a natural stream.This is the "point" when it can potentially be a problem.Hence the term "Point Source Pollution".

Stormwater runoff is our most common cause of waterpollution that affects our steams, lakes, rivers and groundwater.Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people in your neighborhood; from our pets, from household cleaners, from the cars and trucks you drive, and places where you shop.

These man made areas are described as having impervious surfaces, or surfaces that are unable to absorb water and allow the rain to soak into the soil rather than flow over the surface.Because the rain cannot soak into the soil any longer, water flows over the surface.The more water the more risk there is for increased volume and velocities scouring the channels that carry the water and for picking up pollutants dripped or discarded onto the ground.Common pollutants include oil and grease from roadways, pesticides from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and carelessly discarded trash such as cigarette butts, paper wrappers, and plastic bottles and pet waste.

Environmental Advisory Board