When It Rains, It Drains
Understanding Storm Water and How it can
Affect Your Money, Safety, Health and the Environment.

What is Storm Water?

Storm water is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call storm sewers. These are the drains you see at street corners or at low points on the sides of streets. Collectively, the draining water is called storm water runoff.

Why is Storm Water "Good Rain Gone Wrong?"

Storm water becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of stream banks. Storm water travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make storm sewer systems. It eventually flows directly to a lake, river, stream, wetland, or coaster water. All of the pollutants storm water carries along the way empty into our waters, too, because storm water does not get treated!

Pet wastes left on the ground get carried away by storm water, contributing harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses to our water.

Vehicles drip fluids (oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluids, etc.) onto paved areas where storm water runoff carries them through our storm drains and into our water.

Chemicals used to grow and maintain beautiful lawns and gardens, if not used properly, can run off into the storm drains when it rains or when we water our lawns and gardens.

Waste from chemicals and materials used in construction can wash into the storm sewer system when it rains. Soil that erodes from construction sites causes environmental degradation, including harming fish and shellfish populations that are important for recreation and our economy.

<<<<< BACK | NEXT PAGE >>>>>