Stormwater Pollution

For a fun activity to do with a small group or classroom click here - Demo

Stormwater is a term used to describe water that originates during precipitation events. It may also be used to apply to water that originates with snowmelt or runoff water from overwatering that enters the stormwater system. Stormwater that does not soak into the ground becomes surface runoff, which either flows directly into surface waterways or is channeled into storm sewers, which eventually discharge to surface waters.

Stormwater is of concern for two main issues: one related to the volume and timing of runoff water (flood control and water supplies) and the other related to potential contaminants that the water is carrying, i.e. water pollution.

For more information you can go to the following links:

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/water/water-types-and-programs/stormwater/stormwater.html?menuid=&missing=0&redirect=1; http://water.epa.gov/action/weatherchannel/stormwater.cfm, http://www.oceansidecleanwaterprogram.org/kids.asp; http://www.epa.gov/; http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=stormwater+runoff+pollution&revid=1771645635&wrapid=tlif12829362423282&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=xw14TKWcLKPtnQenxsnBAQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDkQsAQwAw; http://www.epa.gov/owow_keep/NPS/index.html; http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html; http://www.mnwatershed.org/; http://www.waterontheweb.org/; http://www.minnehahacreek.org/ManagingWateronYourProperty.php