STORMWATER

Question 1

what is stormwater

Answer 1

Rain that hits the earth’s surface

Question 2

what is stormwater runoff

Answer 2

Rain that runs off hardened surfaces

Question 3

how is stormwater runoff a form of nonpoint pollution

Answer 3

Stormwater runoff picks up pollutants as it runs off impervious surfaces 
Oils/Grease
Metal Particles
Pesticides
Pet Wastes/Pathogens
Nutrients N&P
Excessive Sediment

Question 4

consequences of stormwater runoff

Answer 4

washes off pollutants
increases water temps because asphalt and other surfaces heat up faster
loss of vegetation
decrease in aquatic life
less drinking water quality

Question 5

significance of stormwater pollution

Answer 5

stormwater is the fastest growing source of pollution in the bay – all the other sources are staying the same or going down
we cannot meet national or state water quality goals without controling stormwater

Question 6

stormwater contributes ___ nitrogen, ___ phosphorous, and ___ sediment

Answer 6

16, 18, 24

Question 7

consequences of urbanization

Answer 7

developed land is more compact so water can’t infiltrate as much
Less trees and less evapotranspiration
more runoff

Question 8

what percent of impervious cover really starts to cause drastic problems

Answer 8

more than 10 percent

Question 9

principles of stormwater management / bmps

Answer 9

1. reduce volume of water runoff
2. slow down water velocity
3. reduce pollutants in runoff
4. increase opportunities for infiltration
5. capture water until storm is over and control release (harvesting)

Question 10

example of non-structural stormwater bmps

Answer 10

street sweeping

Question 10

example of non-structural stormwater bmps

Answer 10

street sweeping

Question 11

examples of structural stormwater bmps

Answer 11

bioretention area
grassed swale
green roof

Question 12

concept of atecedent conditions

Answer 12

suppose there are two storms in a row – the first storm will have washed away a lot of pollutants, so the second storm’s impact won’t be the same

Question 13

what did the national academy of sciences say

Answer 13

epa’s current approach to regulating stormwater is unlikely to produce an accurate or complete picture of the extent of the problem nor is it likely to control stormwater
epa should engage in much more vigilant regulatory oversight in the national licensing of products that contribute significant to stormwater pollution