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Sustainable Stormwater Solutions for Clean Water

Explore the benefits of rain barrels in capturing stormwater, promoting water conservation, and reducing nonpoint source pollution. Learn about the detrimental effects of stormwater runoff and discover ways to conserve water at home.

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Sustainable Stormwater Solutions for Clean Water

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  1. Green Evaluation Form • Please fill out completely and then submit. • Hint: Question #6 can also be read as “Stormwater contributes to nonpoint source pollution and increased stormwater heightens the possibility of flooding and erosion.”

  2. Capturing Stormwater with Rain Barrels Tammy Gross Watershed Specialist Franklin County Conservation District

  3. What is a Rain Barrel?

  4. A rain barrel or cistern is a rainwater collection system that stores rooftop runoff to be used later for activities such as lawn and garden watering, car washing, and even window cleaning.

  5. The Benefits • Clean, Pure Water • Conservation of Our Resources • Reduce Stormwater Runoff

  6. Clean, Pure Water Your plants will love it. Rain Barrels provide rainwater that has no added chemicals.

  7. Conservation of Our Resources Rain Barrels help promote infiltration of water into the groundwater. Water that would otherwise be lost to stormwater runoff.

  8. Reduce Stormwater Runoff What is Stormwater? Stormwater is the water that is shed from impervious surfaces.

  9. Impervious surfaces are mainly constructed surfaces, rooftops, sidewalks, roads, and parking lots made of impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, and stone. These materials seal surfaces, repel water, and prevent precipitation and meltwater from infiltrating soils. Soils compacted by urban development are also highly impervious.

  10. -Stormwater runoff has detrimental effects on • our streams. Stormwater causes flooding and • accelerated erosion, contributing to increased sedimentation in our streams. • -Rainfall flowing across a parking lot can pick-up road salt, oil, gas, and anti-freeze that had leaked from automobiles. The rainfall (stormwater) carries these pollutants to a stream, pond, or lake and causes a pollution impact. • -Stormwater can also transport pollutants such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to local bodies of water, however, the effects are felt downstream as far as the Chesapeake Bay.

  11. Chesapeake Bay Watershed

  12. Chesapeake Bay Watershed

  13. Stormwater affects the quality of the water when it flows across roads, sidewalks, and driveways. Stormwater contributes to Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution of our streams and waterways.

  14. NPS pollution occurs when rainfall, snowmelt, or irrigation runs over land or through the ground, picks up pollutants, and deposits them into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters or introduces them into ground water.

  15. Any pollutant picked up during a storm can become part of the NPS problem. NPS pollution is widespread because it can occur any time activities disturb the land or water.

  16. Agriculture, forestry, grazing, septic systems, recreational boating, urban runoff, construction, physical changes to stream channels, and habitat degradation are potential sources of NPS pollution.

  17. Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution remains the Nation's largest source of water quality problems.

  18. Calculate Your Property’s Runoff • One inch of rain yields 0.6 gallons of water per square foot. • A one inch rain event on a 1,000 square foot home will create 625 gallons of stormwater. • Add up the square footage of your impervious surfaces around your home and see what amount of stormwater you are creating.

  19. Other Ways to Conserve Water at Home • Approximately 60% of total household water supply is used inside the home. • To reduce water use indoors: • Make sure all faucets are tightly turned off and not leaking: A leaking faucet could waste up to 4,000 gallons/year • Replace old showerheads: Low flow showerheads can save 3 gallons/minute • About 40% of total household water supply is used outside the home. • To reduce water use outdoors: • Water the lawn only when the ground is dry and preferably no more than once a week: The amount of water used by a sprinkler in one hour is equal to the daily water needs of a family of four • Cover pools to prevent evaporation: An average uncovered pool loses about an inch of water a week because of evaporation

  20. Always Remember, We All Live Downstream!

  21. Credits/More Information • Adams County Conservation District dsf.pacounties.org/adams/cwp • Cumberland County Conservation District www.cumberlandcd.com • Franklin County Conservation District www.franklinccd.org • Maryland Department of the Environment www.mde.state.md.us • Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection • www.montgomerycountymd.gov • Penn State University, College of Ag Sciences • Rain Barrel Guide www.rainbarrelguide.com • Sullivan County Conservation District www.sullcon.com • United States Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov • USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Back yard Conservation • ***Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

  22. Orange Evaluation Form • Please write your name at the top, complete questions #1-8, and then submit.

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