Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality

Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality

Stormwater RunoffStormwater Runoff

Definition: Rainfall that, instead of soaking into the ground, flows into water bodies picking up pollutants along the way

Definition: Rainfall that, instead of soaking into the ground, flows into water bodies picking up pollutants along the way

http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/EnvAnalysis/Stormwaterquality/Gen_info_edu.htm

River BasinRiver Basin

Definition: defined area where all water within the area flows into a common water body

There are 17 different river basins in NC

You live in the Pasquotank River Basin, which has the fewest number of people and the most national wildlife refuges in the State!

Definition: defined area where all water within the area flows into a common water body

There are 17 different river basins in NC

You live in the Pasquotank River Basin, which has the fewest number of people and the most national wildlife refuges in the State!

NC River BasinsNC River Basins

http://www.cgia.state.nc.us/Portals/0/images/examples/nc_rivbasins.jpg

PollutionPollution

As stormwater flows across streets and lawns, it picks up chemical pollutants

All pollution in a river basin accumulates in the common water body

As stormwater flows across streets and lawns, it picks up chemical pollutants

All pollution in a river basin accumulates in the common water body

Types of PollutionTypes of Pollution

Point Source PollutionPoint Source Pollution

Definition-localized source of pollution, usually industrial and coming from a pipe Examples

Industry

Definition-localized source of pollution, usually industrial and coming from a pipe Examples

Industry

Nonpoint Source PollutionNonpoint Source Pollution

Definition- general and indirect water pollution from many diffuse sources

Examples Agricultural Runoff Animal Waste Residential Property

Runoff Parking Lot and Road

Runoff

Definition- general and indirect water pollution from many diffuse sources

Examples Agricultural Runoff Animal Waste Residential Property

Runoff Parking Lot and Road

Runoff

http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/LCC/INTERNET/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE1230&BODY

What’s wrong with this picture?

What’s wrong with this picture?

http://www.ncstormwater.org/pages/workbook_pollution_solutions.html

Visual Indicators of Water Quality

Visual Indicators of Water Quality

Diverse OrganismsBugs as Indicators of Water Quality

Mayflies and Caddisflies cannot tolerate water pollution, therefore their presence in a water body indicates good water quality.

Diverse OrganismsBugs as Indicators of Water Quality

Mayflies and Caddisflies cannot tolerate water pollution, therefore their presence in a water body indicates good water quality.

Mayfly larvaehttp://swittersb.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/mayfly20nymph.jpg

Caddisfly larvaehttp://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~gymfj2/Caddisfly.htm

Measuring Water QualityMeasuring Water Quality

Dissolved OxygenWater TemperaturepH Extremely high or low

levels of any of these indicate poor water quality

Dissolved OxygenWater TemperaturepH Extremely high or low

levels of any of these indicate poor water quality A YSI Meter is

used to measure these quantities.

How do we cleanse our waters?!

How do we cleanse our waters?!

Riparian buffersWetlandsStormwater Best Management

PracticesRaingardens, Cisterns, Rain Barrels,

Permeable Pavement

Riparian buffersWetlandsStormwater Best Management

PracticesRaingardens, Cisterns, Rain Barrels,

Permeable Pavement