What Is Stormwater Runoff Pollution?

As it rains, the stormwater runs over streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and yards picking up pollution such as grease, oil, brake fluid, fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, garbage, and other contaminants.  This untreated stormwater pollution travels into the stormwater system for treatment via gutters, swales, ditches, and pipes and eventually ends up in a natural system like a wetland, lake, river, or the aquifer.  Stormwater increases as impervious (non-porous) surfaces increase.  Saturated lawns from overwatering or heavy rain events can also act as an impervious surface.

Examples of City activities to control stormwater pollution:

• Sweeping streets, cleaning catch basins and labeling storm drains.
• Controlling construction site erosion.
• Inspecting the storm sewer system to find and eliminate pollution sources.
• Distributing educational materials to the public.