Water Quality Flashcards
Impervious
Not allowing water to pass through
Pervious
Allowing water to pass through
Topography
Detailed map of the surface of land.
What affects where rain goes? 5 points
- RATE/VOLUME
- TOPOGRAPHY
- SOIL - Sandy vs clay
- VEGETATION - captures and helps slow water down.
- URBANIZATION - % of impervious surface area
Test well water when you have a
Shallow well - test more frequently
Point source of pollution means it
Comes from a specific source but can be monitored and controlled by permit system.
EPA defines Point source pollution as…
Any single identifiable source of pollution from pollutants are discharged, such as pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack.
Clean water act
Water pollution control amendments of 1972.
What is the Septic system basics
Water from home to septic.
Then the subsurface disposal system.
That gets absorbed by soil.
Then purifies by soil layers and goes to “water table” (below all surfaces where the water goes).
Septic maintenance
Pump every 3-5 years. Extremely important to keep system running well.
Effective impervious area
Area that actually contributes to storm water system.
Gazebo in the middle of yard - does NOT contribute.
Highly compacted turf on slope - does contribute.
PICPs
Permeable (allowing water to pass through) interlocking concrete pavements.
What is Pervious pavements
PICPs, pervious asphalt, plastic grid pavements.
Test soils
Fertilize with care - know lawn size and use slow release fertilizer.
Benefits of rain garden
Decreases surface run off. Increase ground water recharge. Reduce peak flow. Treat pollutants. Creates habitat for wildlife. Requires less maintenance.
