Stormwater Management
If precipitation occurs faster than it can infiltrate
the soil or if the soil is saturated, it becomes runoff. Runoff remains
on the surface and flows into streams, rivers, and eventually large
bodies such as lakes or the ocean.
Impervious
surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets block rainfall
and other precipitation from infiltrating naturally into the
ground. Precipitation
that does not soak into the ground and instead runs off its surface
is called stormwater.
Movement
of this stormwater across the soil causes erosion. It can also carry
and deposit untreated pollutants,
such as sediment, nutrients and pesticides, into surface-water bodies.
Rainfall inevitably creates stormwater runoff in your watershed. Implementing
a rainwater harvesting system is one way to decrease the amount of
stormwater runoff and minimize the problems associated with it.
Related Resources
Rainwater
Harvesting: Soil Storage and Infiltration System
A soil storage and infiltration system collects rainfall
runoff from the roofs of buildings and directs it underground where
it infiltrates the soil. Such a system conserves water and protects
it from surface pollution.
Stormwater
Management
Pollutants
in stormwater discharges remain a significant source of environmental
impacts to water quality.
The Clean Water Act regulates certain discharges
of stormwater. Learn which sources are regulated and what can be done
to control stormwater.