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.
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.
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. |
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
- 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.
- Talk with your neighbors about what you are doing and which if these city solutions they have observed.
- Report what you found using the form below.
Evaluate and Report
Report back to us about what you found.