Stormwater runoff, sometimes called storm sewer is..
- rainfall that does not soak into the ground, but instead flows over the land into these surface waters.
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important to replenish our water supply, but can also harm our watersheds if pollutants are collected along the way.
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naturally occuring, but as development and the amount of impervious surface such as rooftops, roads and parking lots increase in a watershed, the natural capacity of the soil and vegetation to filter and take up rainfall decreases, and more rainfall becomes stormwater runoff.
Stormwater IS NOT …
- going to the Wastewater treatment plant.
Wastewater, sometimes called sewage is…
- water that has been used by homes, industry and business that must be treated before it is released back into the environment.
- is either transported by a sewer system, called a sanitary sewer to a wastewater treatment plant, or it is treated onsite within a self-contained septic system.
Wastewater is NOT…
- stormwater runnoff .
- returned to the environment without treatment.
