Precipitation that flows over the ground, such as rain or snowmelt, is referred to as stormwater. Stormwater runoff is the water that flows from rooftops, sidewalks, parking lots, streets, driveways, yards, and other surfaces into our creeks and streams. Over natural terrain, much of this water soaks into the ground before reaching surface waterways. However, when stormwater flows over roads, sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, or other impervious surfaces, it is often is collected in stormwater pipes and routed into natural waterways limiting the amount that can be infiltrated into the ground and back into the watershed.
Stormwater runoff also contributes to other problems that are less obvious than flooded streets. When stormwater runs off hardened surfaces and picks up pollutants such as trash, debris, rubber dust, metal deposits, antifreeze, grease, and oils, or when it runs off lawns and yards and picks up fertilizers, pet waste, and pesticides. All of these pollutants are then carried into streams and lakes, degrading the water quality and impacting our local ecosystem.
You can improve stormwater runoff in several ways. First, by picking up your dog’s waste and keeping leaves and debris out of the street curbs that lead to storm drains. Second, minimize pollutants in stormwater by reducing the amount of chemicals sprayed on your yard. Third, consider using rain barrels or building a rain garden to reduce the total stormwater runoff from your property. When combined, these basic steps can go a long way in improving local water quality and ecosystem health. Please visit the City of Roswell Watershed Protection Webpage for more information.
Please visit our Stormwater section for more information.