After heavy rainfall or flooding, an overabundance of stormwater can result in running off and creating many problems for citizens and wildlife. From flooding that causes damages to public and private properties to eroded streambanks that create sediment clogs in waterways and reservoirs, here are some stormwater problems that can impact your community.
Threatens Public Health
Stormwater runoff has a significant impact on public health. It can carry bacteria, pathogens, oils, chemicals, pollutants, and other hazardous materials that can lead to illness or injuries.
Oils, Chemicals, and Pollutants
Excessive amounts of stormwater can pick up and carry off hazardous pollutants and contaminants from public areas, such as automotive fluids and other chemicals that haven’t been appropriately disposed of. Because they end up in stormwater, pollutants and chemicals can alter water chemistry and dimmish water quality for aquatic organisms.
Bacteria and Pathogens
Bacteria and pathogens are common community stormwater problems. For instance, animal and human waste can be carried off by stormwater surface runoff into storm sewer systems.
Human waste can enter stormwater systems due to failing or aging infrastructures, inappropriately maintained septic systems, and sanitary sewer overflows. Moreover, bacteria and pathogens can cause illness, close public areas like swimming pools, or impair recreational streams.
Trash and Debris Buildup
Stormwater runoff can cause trash and debris buildup by picking up rogue trash or pollutants from parking lots of streets and carrying them off to storm sewer systems into public waterways. As a result, trash can smother or suffocate wildlife, leaving behind an ugly scene.
Stormwater management often uses culverts as stable structures to help channel water through or around obstacles to transport floodwater away from developed infrastructures efficiently. In addition, keeping culvert structures clear of trash and debris can help prevent stormwater runoff.
Home and Business Damaged
Unmanaged stormwater can directly impact homes and businesses. Stormwater can cause widened stream channels, resulting in the loss of valuable property. It can also have economic impacts, such as impairments to aquatic life, tourism, and recreation-related businesses.
Stormwater can also bring economic consequences, as many communities gather their drinking water from surface water resources. Stormwater contaminates surface water and reduces its quality, increasing drinking water treatment costs.
