5.13: Urban Runoff

Env. Consequences of Urban Runoff

Decreased Infiltration (Groundwater Recharge)

Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and into local surface waters

Env. Consequences of Urban Runoff: Pollutants

Pesticides Kill Non Target Species

Oil and Gasoline suffocate Certain animals

Salt leads to plant and insect death

Sediment leads to turbidity

Fertilizer leads to eutrophication

Env. Consequences of Urban Runoff

Decreased Infiltration (Groundwater Recharge)

Rain washes pollutants into storm drains and into local surface waters

Env. Consequences of Urban Runoff: Pollutants

Pesticides Kill Non Target Species

Oil and Gasoline suffocate Certain animals

Salt leads to plant and insect death

Sediment leads to turbidity

Fertilizer leads to eutrophication

Solution = Permeable Pavement

Designed to recharge ground water

Decreases Runoff, pollutants brought into local storms drains

less flooding

Draw back is its more costly

Rain Garden

Gardens Planted Around Storm Drains

Decreases runoff by soil soaking up water

Decreases Flooding

Creates habitat for pollinators

Public Transit

Less pollutants to runoff

More impervious surfaces

Building Up not out

Rooftop gardens to decrease runoff, and filters out pollutants and sequesters CO2