When It Rains, It Drains

1. When It Rains,It Drains An overview of Stormwater Management

2. Quality vs. Quantity • How has stormwater runoff changed in quality over the past 100 years? • How has stormwater runoff changed in quantity over the past 100 years? • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-TDvnbheM

3. Stormwater Runoff • Water falls as rain, snow, or ice • Most water seeps into the ground • If the ground is saturated, frozen, or has an impermeable surface, water flows as runoff

4. Point vs. Non-Point Source

5. Point vs. Non-Point Source • Point source: • Travels through a conveyance system • Regulated under permit program • Non-point source: • Runoff that comes from a wide unspecific area • Addressed through voluntary programs

6. Why is stormwater a problem? • Human activities cause stormwater to decrease in quality and increase in quantity • Caused by developed and disturbed land

7. Where does stormwater go? • Travels over land • Carried through Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) • Discharges into various creeks and streams • Ultimately, the creeks and streams discharge into a larger body of water, like the Schuylkill River

8. Where does stormwater go? • Stormwater flows to storm drains along the street • Water may carry pollutants with it • This runoff goes to streams, rivers, lakes, and the oceans untreated

9. Sediment Pollution • Sediment comes from soil erosion and from decomposition of plants and animals • Sediment makes water cloudy • Sediment is the most common type of water pollutant

10. Sediment Pollution Prevention • Create vegetative buffers along bodies of water • Minimize the amount of exposed soil • Use silt fences when disturbing soil

11. Oil and Grease Pollution • The EPA estimates that 200 million gallons of oil are improperly disposed of each year • 1 quart of oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water

12. Oil and Grease Pollution Prevention • Fix vehicles that are leaking fluid • If you change your own oil, store it in a container and dispose of properly

13. Septic System Pollution • The EPA estimates that 25% of homes in the U.S. use septic systems • Over 4 billions gallons of wastewater per day is dispersed below ground through septic systems • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRz0wrwK8vs

14. Septic System Pollution Prevention • Have septic system pumped regularly • Fix a faulty septic system • Fix faulty toilets and leaky faucets to reduce water going through the system • Don’t overload the septic system (ex: you should do several loads of laundry over several days, rather than all in one day)

15. Lawn Chemical Pollution • Lawn chemicals are fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides • Over-application can result in toxic levels of chemicals and excessive nutrient runoff

16. Lawn Chemical Pollution Prevention • Conduct a soil test • Don’t over-fertilize • Use chemicals according to their instructions • Landscape with native plants

17. Thermal Pollution Rain or snowmelt running over pavement picks up heat from asphalt and concrete Warm runoff raises the temperature of bodies of water

18. Thermal Pollution Prevention • Install permeable pavement to allow water to infiltrate into the soil • Plant vegetation in riparian zones to increase shade

20. Non-Structural BMPs • Pollution prevention and source control • Street sweeping • Stormwater collection system cleaning and maintenance • Low-impact development and land-use planning • Public education

21. Structural BMPs • Green roofs • High density residential areas • Grassed/porous pavement • Silt fences

22. Rain Gardens

23. Rain Gardens

24. Rain Impoundment Basin

25. Benefits of Stormwater Management • Enhances opportunities for recreation • Reduces flood damage • Improves drinking water quality • Benefits aquatic organisms • Reduces illness • Enhances aesthetic value