Pollution
What's in the Stormwater?
Be the Solution for Stormwater Pollution!
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.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is rain and surface water that runs off nonporous (impervious) surfaces and flows through open ditches or underground pipes directly into streams and rivers. In cities, stormwater runs off streets, sidewalks, roofs and parking lots. All of these surfaces are solid and rain cannot soak into them like it can soak into the ground. These surfaces are “impervious.”
What is Stormwater Pollution and How Does it Change Water Quality in Rivers, Streams and Lakes?
When rain runs across these impervious surfaces, it collects pollutants like oil, grease, dirt, fertilizers, animal waste and litter and carries them into the storm drain. These pollutants are carried with the rain directly to streams and rivers. Stormwater DOES NOT get cleaned before it goes back into the river! We use our rivers for many activities like swimming, fishing, and boating. Some cities get their drinking water from rivers. Wild animals also drink from creeks and rivers. So, it is important that we keep rivers clean!
How Does Water Become Polluted?
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.
Can Plants Clean Pollutants from Water?
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.
Hop On Over to Lily's Pad to Learn More...
Rain Gardens collect stormwater.
Hazardous Waste- Watch out for these!
Water supply and water use are the building blocks for understanding water issues. This section offers the opportunity to learn the basics.
Join Darby Duck and become an Aquatic Crusader! There are seven experiments for you to try that will teach you the characteristics of water. When you complete all seven of the Aquatic Crusader tasks, consider yourself one of Darby's Crusaders too!
An interactive graphic: Click on the places where you think someone's activities might be harming the environment and find out if you are right.
What are Pollutants?
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.
How Do Pollutants Harm Plants and Animals?
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).
What Happens When Precipitation Hits the Ground?
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.
SPLASH! Water Forms
Lesson Includes:
What is water?
What plants and animals live near water?
What happens when water gets polluted?
SPLASH! Pollution and Plant Growth
Lesson Includes:
What happens when precipitation hits the ground?
What's in the water?
Can plants help clean pollutants from the water?
Can too many pollutants harm the plants?
SPLASH! Stormwater Run Off
Lesson Includes:
Calculate stormwater runoff
Determine pollutants in local water
Impervious Surfaces and Pollutants
SPLASH! Impervious Surfaces and Pollutants in Local Waterways Lesson Includes:
Calculate Impervious Surfaces at home
Effects of pollutants on local water quality
Journal of Local Water Quality Impacts
Background: The City of Eugene has collected stormwater user fees as part of its sewer user charge since the 1960s. The fees help the City operate and maintain the stormwater system which includes publicly maintained pipes, culverts, gutters, catch basins, ditches, channels, ponds and wetlands. The basis of the stormwater fee has changed from “water meter size” to “impervious surface.” Impervious (or hard) surfaces are areas such as rooftops, driveways, parking lots and patios. The more impervious surface a property has, the greater the amount of stormwater runoff. Any pollutant the runoff collects as it flows over these surfaces is ultimately carried into local rivers, streams and wetlands. The greater the runoff, the greater the impact on the stormwater system.
Sing -A-Long Song & Lyrics: Care for the River by Rich Glauber
Care for the River (3:55)
Press the arrow to listen and sing along with the talented local musician, Rich Glauber.
What are Some Things That Can Help Stormwater Pollution?
Design and implement an education strategy to improve the water quality impacts in your neighborhood. Some possibilities might be developing posters, flyers or newsletters. Contact your neighborhood leaders and place an article in the neighborhood newsletter. For neighborhood leaders, contact the City Neighborhoods Office at 541-682-5272.
City of Eugene Stormwater Video Collection
The City of Eugene works hard to keep our waterways clean and healthy. Learn more about stormwater at HappyRivers.org