How does runoff affect water quality

This surface water runoff is known as stormwater. As we replace forests and fields with hard impervious surfaces, more rain runs off the land instead of soaking into the soil.

This increases the amount of stormwater runoff, which has been identified as the leading contributor to water quality pollution in the Puget Sound. Pollutants carried by stormwater, such as heavy metals, petroleum products, excess nutrients and pathogens, have harmed many creeks, lakes, rivers and bays in Washington.

Orca whales, two species of salmon, and bull trout are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and are threatened with extinction. EPA PDF 4 pp, K, About PDF This brochure provides a broad overview of stormwater pollution, including runoff from residential and commercial properties, farms, construction sites, automotive facilities, forestry operations and others.

Think Blue Maine Includes information for homeowners on the steps they can take to reduce polluted stormwater runoff. Think Blue Massachusetts A statewide educational campaign to help residents and businesses do their part to reduce polluted runoff. What steps can be taken to help keep the lake clean.

EPA Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries pollutants into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal and ground waters. Urban and suburban areas, where much of the land surface is covered by buildings, pavement and compacted landscapes that increase runoff, are one source of nonpoint pollution. Nutrient Pollution, U. EPA Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems.

Stormwater carries pollutants, including the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, into our local waterways. If stormwater pollution was rubber duckies…. If the rainwater cannot easily escape down drains or becomes too rapid for the drains to effectively manage, it remains on the surface and begins to accumulate. This leads to the damage of buildings and in extreme cases, people can lose their homes and possessions. The second risk associated with urban runoff is water pollution.

Urban runoff can negatively affect the quality of water. In normal rainstorms where urban runoff does not occur, the rainwater passes through the soil. However, impervious urban surfaces prevent this from happening and carry the rainwater to storm drains. This water picks up pollutants on the way such as motor oil, fertilizers, metals, dirt, pesticides and more.

This is the beginning of a hazardous cycle that includes:. By installing permeable surfaces that allow the water to penetrate, you stop the runoff by absorbing it into the soil. Be sure to check out the interlocked stone parking spots on the west side of the Utilities Kingston building at John Counter Blvd. Certain types of interlocked permeable pavers can safely be plowed and have the added benefit of reducing the appearance of ice slicks during freeze and thaw cycles.

An artesian well, also known as a dry well, is simply a large hole filled with loose rock. It serves as a location where excess water can be directed so that it can be slowly absorbed into the soil. A French drain is a drainage ditch filled with loose rock and possibly perforated piping; it serves to guide water on the property.

It is an effective means of controlling erosion as well as preventing flooding by intercepting and directing water away from where it is problematic. One popular use of a French drain is below a narrow grate that runs across the end of an impervious driveway. Rain gardens and bioswales work like a sponge soaking up rainfall and slowly using or releasing it.

As gardens they are an attractive and low maintenance feature of the property. A rain garden is an area that collects rain water while a bioswale is a vegetated swale that allows water to slowly run along its length. These are excellent places to discharge sump pumps, downspouts or the overflows of rain barrels. They are also great for a low spot on your property that generates puddles after rainfall. A green roof is essentially a very low-maintenance garden or lawn on your roof.

Choice of plants is normally of drought tolerant plants that can subsist in a minimal amount of substrate.