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What is stormwater?
water that originates during precipitation events and snow/ice melt. Urban runoff entering a storm drain. Stormwater, also spelled storm water, is water that originates from precipitation events, including snow and ice melt.
What happens to stormwater when it reaches the surface?
Stormwater. Stormwater can soak into the soil (infiltrate), be held on the surface and evaporate, or runoff and end up in nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies ( surface water ). In natural landscapes such as forests, the soil absorbs much of the stormwater and plants help hold stormwater close to where it falls.
How can we reduce stormwater in natural landscapes?
In natural landscapes, such as forests, soil absorbs much of the stormwater. Plants also reduce stormwater by improving infiltration, intercepting precipitation as it falls, and by taking up water through their roots.
What are the problems with unmanaged stormwater?
In developed environments, unmanaged stormwater can create two major issues: one related to the volume and timing of runoff ( flooding) and the other related to potential contaminants the water is carrying ( water pollution ).
What is stormwater design and why is it important?
Instead, water runs rapidly into storm drains, sewer systems and drainage ditches and can cause flooding, erosion, turbidity (or muddiness), storm and sanitary sewer system overflow, and infrastructure damage. However, stormwater design and “green infrastructure” capture and reuse stormwater to maintain or restore natural hydrologies.
Where does stormwater go after it is collected?
Stormwater can soak into the soil (infiltrate), be stored on the land surface in ponds and puddles, evaporate, or runoff. Most runoff is conveyed directly to nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies (surface water) without treatment.
What happens to stormwater when it rains?
Water from rain or snow storms, known as stormwater, instead flows over streets, parking lots and roofs and into a water body or storm drain. Stormwater runoff is often worsened by human activities, and can contain nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants from fertilizers, pet and yard waste.