As rain falls to the ground, some is absorbed by plants and trees, some falls directly into waterways, some seeps into the ground and the rest flows across the ground in the form of storm water runoff.  Storm water runoff is water that washes over the land and travels directly to local waterways or indirectly via storm drains.  

As storm water washes over urbanized land, it becomes polluted with:

• Sediment from construction sites and roads
• Sediment from unvegetated and eroding streambanks
• Organic materials such as grass clippings and leaves
• Oil and gas from leaking cars, trucks, and storage tanks
• Pesticides and nutrients (phosphates and nitrates) from lawns, farms, and golf courses
• Bacteria from deteriorating septic systems and improperly disposed animal wastes
• Trash and debris

The contaminated storm water reduces water quality and harms aquatic ecosystems.  For example, heavy sediment loads cloud the water, block off sunlight and cover fish eggs.  High levels of nutrients increase algal growth and reduce dissolved oxygen. Besides being unsightly, trash and organic materials can cause unpleasant odors and reduce recreational uses of the rivers and lakes. 

What Can You Do?

There are many ways of reducing pollutants in storm water.  The first half-inch of rain collects 75-90% of the contaminants washing off the ground.  Techniques that catch and retain this "first flush" significantly reduce water pollution and increase water quality.  Streambank stabilization projects utilize fast growing plants, such as willows, to form a dense root system, which filters water and controls erosion. 

In your community:

• Adopt erosion and stormwater controls for construction sites
• Increase street sweeping and catch basin clean-outs
• Promote community and residential composting
• Coordinate programs for safe disposal of hazardous chemicals
• Advocate better management of road salts
• Become involved in streambank stabilization projects
• Organize Storm Drain Stenciling

In your home and backyard:       

• Compost yard wastes
• Properly dispose of toxic household and automotive wastes and minimize the use of lawn chemicals to reduce storm water pollution
• Sweep (don't wash) fertilizers, soil, leaves, and grass clippings off paved surfaces
• Bury pet wastes to prevent bacterial loads
• Plant trees and shrubs to reduce runoff
• Wash cars on grass so the lawn absorbs soap
• Direct building downspouts to flow into yards 

This project was financed in part through a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency  and the United States Environmental Protection  Agency, under the provisions of Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act.  These grant  monies were matched in part or totally through funding by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency  (NOACA) and in-kind contributions from local agencies.