Return to Stormwater Quality
Introduction
In Action 1, you learned about five pollutants commonly found in our neighborhoods. These pollutants are clogging the storm drain system, poisoning aquatic life downstream and preventing us from swimming and fishing in our lakes and at our beaches. But how are they getting from our neighborhoods to where they are causing problems downstream? In this action, you will make the connection.
When it rains, stormwater flows from our roofs and through our yards and enters drains outside our homes. At some houses and apartment buildings, the water may flow into drains on the property in the yard and parking area. These drains collect and route the rainwater away from the building to reduce flooding and bring it out to the street.
Drains outside our houses and apartments collect stormwater...
...and route it out to the street along with any pollutants it picks up along the way.
It flows downhill in the gutter until it enters an inlet to the city stormwater system...
...through pipes, culverts and natural channels...
...to the waterways where we fish, swim and play.
This well-engineered system was designed to prevent our homes and businesses from flooding. It effectively moves the stormwater away from our apartments, homes, and businesses and routes it to water bodies that accept the additional water with less risk of flooding.
Pollutants are hitchhiking and coming along for the ride.
Pollutants are hitchhiking and coming along for the ride.
The water flowing into our gutters outside our homes does NOT go to a water treatment plant. All of the pollutants that this flow of water picks up along the way—like those you found in Action 1—are carried along and out to our waterways.
In this action you will locate the features outside your apartment or house that collect and route stormwater safely away from your home to avoid flooding.
Instructions
- Print this Data Collection Sheet this Data Collection Sheet, grab a pencil and take a walk outside of your apartment building or house.
- Use the Data Collection Sheet as a guide to locate and inspect the storm features on the property where you live. You should be able to complete this action from the safety of the property where you live.
- Report what you found by clicking on the SUBMIT FINDINGS button below.
Evaluate and Report
Report back to us about what you found.
