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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 from naturally soaking
into the ground. |
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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 water bodies we use
for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water. |
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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 grow. 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 water bodies can choke, suffocate or disable aquatic
life like ducks, fish turtles and birds.
- Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources.
This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking
water treatment costs.
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