Stormwater

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water resulting from rain or snow melt that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways and parking lots. Along the way, the water may pick up and transport contaminants including motor oils, gasoline, antifreeze, and brake dust (commonly found on pavements), fertilizers and pesticides (found on landscaped areas), and soil sediments (from farms and construction sites). The water eventually flows into a local stream, river or lake, or into a storm drain and continues through storm pipes until it is released untreated into a local water body.

Stormwater can result in significant pollution to surface waters affecting primary contact recreation such as swimming and aquatic life use support.