Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality
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Transcript of Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality
Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality
Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality
Stormwater RunoffStormwater Runoff
Definition: Rainfall that, instead of soaking into the ground, flows into water bodies picking up pollutants along the way
Definition: Rainfall that, instead of soaking into the ground, flows into water bodies picking up pollutants along the way
http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/EnvAnalysis/Stormwaterquality/Gen_info_edu.htm
River BasinRiver Basin
Definition: defined area where all water within the area flows into a common water body
There are 17 different river basins in NC
You live in the Pasquotank River Basin, which has the fewest number of people and the most national wildlife refuges in the State!
Definition: defined area where all water within the area flows into a common water body
There are 17 different river basins in NC
You live in the Pasquotank River Basin, which has the fewest number of people and the most national wildlife refuges in the State!
NC River BasinsNC River Basins
http://www.cgia.state.nc.us/Portals/0/images/examples/nc_rivbasins.jpg
PollutionPollution
As stormwater flows across streets and lawns, it picks up chemical pollutants
All pollution in a river basin accumulates in the common water body
As stormwater flows across streets and lawns, it picks up chemical pollutants
All pollution in a river basin accumulates in the common water body
Types of PollutionTypes of Pollution
Point Source PollutionPoint Source Pollution
Definition-localized source of pollution, usually industrial and coming from a pipe Examples
Industry Landfills
Definition-localized source of pollution, usually industrial and coming from a pipe Examples
Industry Landfills
Nonpoint Source PollutionNonpoint Source Pollution
Definition- general and indirect water pollution from many different sources
Examples Agricultural Runoff Animal Waste Residential Property
Runoff Parking Lot and Road
Runoff
Definition- general and indirect water pollution from many different sources
Examples Agricultural Runoff Animal Waste Residential Property
Runoff Parking Lot and Road
Runoff
http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/LCC/INTERNET/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE1230&BODY
What’s wrong with this picture?
What’s wrong with this picture?
http://www.ncstormwater.org/pages/workbook_pollution_solutions.html
Visual Indicators of Water Quality
Visual Indicators of Water Quality
Diverse OrganismsBugs as Indicators of Water Quality
Mayflies and Caddisflies cannot tolerate water pollution, therefore their presence in a water body indicates good water quality.
Diverse OrganismsBugs as Indicators of Water Quality
Mayflies and Caddisflies cannot tolerate water pollution, therefore their presence in a water body indicates good water quality.
Mayfly larvaehttp://swittersb.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/mayfly20nymph.jpg
Caddisfly larvaehttp://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~gymfj2/Caddisfly.htm
Measuring Water QualityMeasuring Water Quality
Dissolved OxygenWater TemperaturepH Extremely high or low
levels of any of these indicate poor water quality
Dissolved OxygenWater TemperaturepH Extremely high or low
levels of any of these indicate poor water quality A YSI Meter is
used to measure these quantities.
How do we cleanse our waters?!
How do we cleanse our waters?!
Riparian buffersWetlandsStormwater Best Management
PracticesRain gardens, Cisterns, Rain Barrels,
Permeable Pavement
Riparian buffersWetlandsStormwater Best Management
PracticesRain gardens, Cisterns, Rain Barrels,
Permeable Pavement