Storm water pollution is one of the leading causes of water pollution nationally. Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, which is caused by a discrete number of sources, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Because stormwater pollution is caused by so many different activities, many state, federal, and local programs provide stormwater technical assistance, regulatory controls, and education and awareness.
Storm water pollution is one of the leading causes of water pollution nationally. Unlike pollution from industry or sewage treatment facilities, which is caused by a discrete number of sources, stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Because stormwater pollution is caused by so many different activities, many state, federal, and local programs provide stormwater technical assistance, regulatory controls, and education and awareness.
The responsibility falls on us all - federal, state, and local governments, developers, and citizens - to plan and act responsibly and in a manner that protects and works with the landscape to minimize stormwater impacts and to meet both water quality and land use goals. Existing scientific knowledge and technology in the field of stormwater management provide us with tools that can minimize the impacts of development and balance the needs of a healthy environment with those of social and economic growth.