Stormwater runoff is a major source of water pollution today. We all add to this pollution. Stormwater runoff is being managed in interesting and creative ways to help protect and conserve fresh water. Everyone can do something that will help make a difference. You can make a difference and help keep water clean by becoming aware of how much water can run off of your school parking lot or your home's roof during one inch of rain and what pollutants it may take to streams, rivers and lakes.

One of the most common forms of pollution is stormwater pollution. It can be easily seen in streets and parking lots. The storm drains carry the water and pollutants directly to local creeks and water ice snow liquid solid river oil pollution rivers. Many pollutants are carried with rainwater into storm drains. For example, rainwater can pick up oil and other fluids that leak from cars, fertilizers and pesticides used in yards and gardens, along with trash and litter. This pollution can harm plants and animals and make water unsafe for drinking or swimming. 

All plants, even plants that live in the desert, need water to survive. Most plants obtain water by using their roots to absorb water and nutrients for growth from the ground. Plant roots act like “straws” drawing water up into their stem and leaves. 

Plants that live in wetland areas have an important role in helping to clean water that has been polluted by stormwater runnoff. Water usually flows through wetland areas before being released into local creeks and rivers. Wetland plants (like cattails and grasses) soak up water with their roots, along with any dissolved pollutants. The pollutants are stored in the stems and leaves of the plants. As a result, the water that flows through wetlands is filtered and less pollution makes its way into creeks and rivers. 

Pollutants are anything that damage our water, air, and soil. Pollutants are often harmful to humans, plants, and animals. Most pollution is caused by people, but some pollutants are natural. Some pollutants are easily seen. For example, it is easy to spot litter or an oil slick on a pond. However, many pollutants cannot be seen. It is important to realize that clear water isn’t necessarily free of pollutants. The pollutants can only be detected by testing the water. 

Pollutants can cause many types of problems for humans, plants, and animals. When pollutants like oil enter our rivers, lakes, and streams, the oil can kill fish and make the water undrinkable for animals. Another example of a pollutant is dirt, which enters the storm drains from construction sites. The dirt makes the water muddy, and fish cannot live in muddy water! Fertilizers entering our water system can cause plants like algae to grow in excess. The algae uses up lots of oxygen in the water, leaving very little oxygen for the fish. Some pollutants can cause tumors and growth defects in fish and amphibians (frogs). 

The earth is made up of land and water. When it rains or snows, precipitation can fall back into lakes, rivers, streams and the ocean. Precipitation also soaks into the ground, where it is used by plants for growth. Precipitation that soaks into the ground is referred to as groundwater. Some precipitation falls on impervious surfaces, such as roofs, paved roads, and parking lots. Water cannot soak into the ground through an impervious surface, so it often runs into local storm drains. When water runs off impervious surfaces into storm drains, it is called stormwater. Stormwater flows down a storm drain and into a network of pipes that eventually empty directly into a stream or river. Stormwater is not “cleaned” before it discharges into local waterways. Anything (oil, leaves, soap suds, dirt, garbage) that washes down the storm drain with stormwater goes directly into local wetlands, rivers, lakes, and streams. 

The City of Eugene works hard to keep our waterways clean and healthy.  Learn more about stormwater at HappyRivers.org