Back to Stormwater Quality

Introduction

Over the past hundred years, we have poured concrete and asphalt over much of the area outside where we live and work. Rain water cannot be absorbed by these impermeable surfaces. Instead, it flows downhill to city storm drains, picking up pollutants in its path and carrying them out to our waterways. The problem is it has also become an efficient way of delivering pollutants from outside our homes to our waterways.

Cities are now taking action to reengineer the stormwater system to reduce pollutants from ending up in our waterways. In this action, you will search your neighborhood for hidden tools already being used by your city to help prevent pollutants from entering the stormwater system. Established neighborhoods may only have a few of these, but newer neighborhoods are being built to more strict environmental standards and have more solutions to find. Let's review a few of these tools.

Street sweepers 
Street sweeping is an effective way of eliminating pollutants in street gutters. Not only does it make the streets look cleaner, it prevents litter and debris from blowing with the wind or flowing with water into the storm drains. 

Drain inserts
In Action 3 you learned about inserts that many cities are using in storm drain inlets. These devices prevent larger debris and litter from entering the system, but allow flood water to flow through. 

Erosion control straw wattles and sand bags
Straw filled tubes and sand filled bags are inexpensive, easy to install and flexible. They reduce sediment flowing from a hillside or construction site. 

Permeable surfaces
Permeable surfaces allow water to percolate through it to be absorbed into the ground below so the flow doesn't carry pollutants to the storm drain. Permeable surfaces might be made of crushed gravel walkways, pavers with gaps between them or even specially engineered asphalt that allows water to flow through it. 

Natural drainage channels 
City engineers are routing stormwater into these low areas where water flows through natural habitats.  The plants in these corridors help remove pollutants from the stormwater and trap litter before it enters a recreational waterway. 

Drainage nets
These reusable sock-like nets fit over stormwater drain outlets to collect litter and larger debris right before it enters a waterway. While they are highly effective, suspended solids and dissolved chemicals flow right through. 

While some of these measures are hidden from public view, you may be able to find several of these tools in use in your neighborhood and surrounding area. 

Instructions

1. Print this Data Collection Sheet, get a pencil and take a walk around your neighborhood. Make note of the solutions the city has put in place in your neighborhood. Use caution and look for cars. You should be able to accomplish this action from the safety of the sidewalk in your neighborhood.
2. Talk with your neighbors about what you are doing and which if these city solutions they have observed. 
3. Report what you found using the form below.

Evaluate and Report

Report back to us about what you found. ​

Submit findings

Ready for Action 5?