Stormwater

Stormwater runoff can have a big impact on water quality our lakes, streams, wetlands, etc. When rain falls on residential, commercial and industrial areas the water washes over these surfaces as it runs off.  Typically this surface runoff is directed into lakes and streams via storm sewers.  Storm sewers are designed to route water to a stream quickly and efficiently. There is little to no treatment of this water before it enters the creek.

What are some typical pollutants?  Fertilizer and pesticide application, salt on paved areas, as well as soil or other debris from construction activities are examples of activities that can turn clean rainwater into chemical- and soil-laden water that runs off our land into our ponds, streams, lakes and rivers polluting them. 

While the above activities are permitted, there are other types of water-polluting activities that are not permitted.  These are called illicit discharges.  Illicit discharges include illegal sanitary sewer connections to the storm sewer, failing septic systems, wash water from car washes or Laundromats, dumping oil, paint or other wastes in or near a stormdrain.  Its very difficult and costly to locate and remove the contaminated storm water as the wastes have been mixed and inter dispersed with the storm water. 

Keep in mind that all human activities have the potential of impacting streams. It is unreasonable to think all human activity should stop.  However, it is reasonable to identify concerns and seek ways to minimize impacts.  Protecting our water resources is important for our quality of life as well as for economic health of our region.  Without clean water, we have nothing.

Storm drain stenciling is one method to raise awareness about the direct connection storm sewers have on our local streams.

Sediment

Rivers and streams are hardly ever crystal clear. As they move they are carrying soil, sand, and sediment along with them.

So what does this have to do with people? On the plus side, sediment deposited on the banks and floodplains of a river has led to excellent farmland, due to the mineral-rich content it can have.  On the negative side, when rivers flood, they leave behind wet, sticky, heavy and smelly mud -- not something you would want in your basement or on your land.

So what does sediment have to do with our natural resources?  Sediment can severely impact the variety of species of fish as well as the number of fish in a stream.  It doesn’t just impact the fish!  There are other micro and macro invertebrate that live in the stream which are sensitive to the quality of water where they live.  All of these are part of the area’s biodiversity and the food chain.

Fecal Coliform

The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in aquatic environments may indicate that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material of people or animals. Often, fecal coliform bacteria can enter rivers through direct discharge of waste from mammals and birds, from agricultural and storm runoff, and from untreated human sewage.

The following are a couple of methods that could work to address fecal coliform impairments in the watershed:

• Implement urban and agricultural best management practices

  This can include naturalized detention ponds in all new subdivisions which discourage Canada Geese from recreating near the water.  In addition, if Canada Geese populate in areas draining to the detention ponds, routing stormwater overland through bioswales, riparian buffers and the like can reduce the pollutants in the water.

• Ensure proper management of natural areas

  All green and grey infrastructure requires maintenance and management.  Generally green infrastructure is that which provides a function utilizing native plants and open space.  Grey infrastructure is generally considered to be pipes in the ground or other non-open space ways of dealing with stormwater.  Depending on the purpose, function, and type of infrastructure the needs are different.  Since there is not a one size fits all approach and different specialties are needed, a management plan should be prepared in advance to guide those who are responsible for proper maintenance and management so that they can make the best decision and ensure these areas function as intended and are aesthetically pleasing as well.

• Create unified system of monitoring septic systems.

A method for periodic inspection of residential septic systems should be set up to ensure that individual systems are properly treating effluent before it enters the groundwater system.