Stormwater Pollution
Stormwater Pollution
Environmental Concerns Related to Stormwater
Polluted water enters lakes and rivers in two ways: point and non-point sources. Point sources are easy to identify because it comes from a pipe and can be traced back to someone accountable for the pollution they are discharging. The Clean Water Act has special permits and has been successful in reducing pollution from point sources. Non-point sources are harder to control because pollution comes from many different sources and there is no one person accountable for the collective pollution.
Classic examples include water coming from parking lots and water flowing over fertilized lawns. Non-point sources, including stormwater, are significant contributors to water pollution and are difficult to regulate. However, through individual actions pollution can be greatly reduced. Here are some of the environmental concerns connected to stormwater:
- Roads and Parking Lots
Stormwater flowing over parking lots and roads ca pick up antifreeze, gasoline, and oil that drips from cars, as well as heavy metals such as copper, chromium, lead and zinc.
- High Salt Concentrations
Road salt used to melt snow washes directly into our water systems which increases salt concentrations in our waterways; and many aquatic animals and plats are sensitive to these salt concentrations.
- High Nutrient Pollution
With increased amounts of nutrients from lawn fertilizer, pet waste and phosphorous-based soaps dumped into the water, algae thrives and increases in population creating a "bloom" that eventually dies off and is decomposed by bacteria, which use oxygen for this process and that leads to decreased amounts of available oxygen in the water. This can lead to fish kills and some algae can even produce toxins that are harmful to humans and wildlife.
- Thermal Pollution
Water running off pavement and roads can be very hot. A change in the temperature of the water can change the suitability for certain aquatic animals and plants to survive and reduce oxygen availability.
- Sedimentation
Water flowing over construction sites and picking up sand and grit from roadways can pollute the water in creeks, rivers, and lakes. The sediment eventually deposits at the bottom of these waterways which makes the body of water shallower and can lead to increased temperatures and lover oxygen levels. It can also lead to the clogging of fish gills. Sediment is the most prevalent pollutant in Indiana waterways.
- Habitat Destruction
When a large amount of water surges into creeks and other waterways, it can be very destructive. Stormwater can also carry invasive species to water bodies.
- Social Concerns Relating to Stormwater
Human activity on the land influences the quality of our water. Water quality is connected to our health, safety, and ability to use water for recreational purposes. Stormwater that is not properly managed can cause expensive damage to private and public property and degrade our water supply.
- Flooding
Roads flooding in Monroe County is a public health and safety risk. Proper stormwater management can help to address road flooding.
- Ice
If stagnant water on the roads does not drain properly during the winter, there is a greater risk for ice to form on the roads.
- Loss of Recreational Activities
When the water quality is too poor to support a healthy fish population or is no loner safe for contact with humans, recreational activities are negatively impacted.
- Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water that is not well managed. Good stormwater management reduces this risk.
- Groundwater Depletion
As less water infiltrates into the ground to recharge the groundwater, there is a need to dig deeper to reach the water table. This process is expensive, not sustainable, and increases the risk of groundwater contamination. Also, Monroe County has a karst topography, meaning there are sinkholes that connect directly to the groundwater. If polluted stormwater flows into these reservoirs, we are dramatically decreasing groundwater quality.
- Illness
Disease causing organisms can enter waterways through stormwater. This is a major public health issue that can be prevented. Common sources of bacteria in stormwater are pet waste, geese waste, and improperly treated sewage.
Common pollutants and their sources are listed below.
Contact Us
Highway Director
- Phone: (812) 803-6810
- Phone: (812) 349-2555
- Fax:
(812) 825-5358 - Staff Directory
- M - F 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
