Stormwater Management

Question 1

What does quantity refer to in terms of the hydrological cycle?

Answer 1

Amount of: impervious surfaces, runoff, surface flooding, reduced recharge of aquifers, urban sprawl affects

Question 2

What does quality refer to in terms of the hydrological cycle?

Answer 2

Quality of water: pollutants washed into groundwater (oil, gas from vehicles, winter salt) & degrades the quality and has negative health consequences

Question 3

How does stormwater affect the hydrological cycle?

Answer 3

Cities have lots of surface runoff that disrupts the natural water cycle. Stormwater picks up many pollutants along the way and isn’t treated most times before ending up in waterways. Sewage is treated but the clean wastewater gets mixed back in with stormwater anyways.

Question 4

What is the stormwater management system REEP green solutions goes by?

Answer 4

1. Slow it down
2. Soak it up
3. Keep it clean

Question 5

What does “slow it down” mean?

Answer 5

Slow down the flow of runoff to waterways:

• enhance urban forests (absorb water)
• decrease non-permeable surfaces (roof, pavement)
• divert downspouts (onto grass)
• rainwater harvesting (cisterns, reuse water)

Question 6

What does “soak it up” mean?

Answer 6

Holds the water longer:

• green roofs (reduce urban heat island effect)
• rain gardens (bowl shaped, different soil)
• permeable paving (interlock with gravel)
• infiltration galleries (helps water into ground)
• bioswales (cities use to reduce runoff in parking lots)

Question 7

What does “keep it clean” mean?

Answer 7

Disposing of water/waste properly:

• commercial car washes (proper disposal)
• using compost over fertilizers
• safer/greener household products (natural)