Water is the essence of wetness… And wetness is the essence of beauty. ~Derek Zoolander zoolander

You may have some questions… What is stormwater? Why do people care about it? Why should I care about it? Is stormwater affecting me all the time? Are there times of the year when stormwater has greater effects? Do people of certain areas need to be more concerned about stormwater than others? Rest assured, together we will answer these questions and more!

What is stormwater? Water that originates during precipitous events

Where can the water go?

Remember the Water Cycle Stormwater that doesn’t go into the ground or returns to the atmosphere is called Stormwater Runoff

The effect of paved surfaces!!

Why do people care about stormwater? two reasons 1. The water itself FLOODING!!!!FLOODING!!!! $$$$$$ Landslides

2. What’s in the Water Pollutants Nitrates Phosphates Heavy metals

Seasonal Effects!

Road Salt! We deice roads in the winter using salt… NaCl Chloride ion (Cl-) is damaging to the environment and can affect plant and wildlife.

Snow Melts in Spring Spring freshet Increased amounts of stormwater due to snowmelt in early spring. Carries sediment and other pollutants with it.

“Although the freshet occurs every spring, there is more flow in some years than others. During an average year, about two and a half billion pounds of sediment wash down the Susquehanna into the Bay. In very wet years it can be twice that.”

2.5 billion lbs = approx 3 Empire State Buildings

Stormwater management! Separate vs. combined stormwater and sewer Swales and pipes Retention and Detention Ponds Rain Barrels and Cisterns Green Roofs Rain Gardens Permeable pavements

WASTEWATER Let’s work out the definition. How is wastewater different from sewage? Any water negatively impacted by human influence Subset of wastewater that contains feces and/or urine

“In a wet 2006, more than 1 billion gallons of untreated water was released into the river” How does stormwater connect to wastewater?

Wastewater Management Sewer Systems Transport wastewater & sewage to the… Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP)

Ancient times!! Humans lived in small groups…waste wasn’t much of an issue

Messopotamia, Rome, & China People develop agriculture which allows for life in the city. Population densities increase = lots of waste in one area

London: A Case Study! In the days when London was still small, people dumped their waste outside their windows! This continued for a time until someone said, “Gee, I really don’t like walking in my own poo!” Pip-pip…Cheerio!

Sewage in London Sewers were built! BUT All wastewater was sent to the Thames! By 1849 fish were eliminated! Between 1831 and 1866: 4 cholera epidemics!

London, Lancaster, and Philadelphia Combined sewer: old system designed to carry both sanitary waste and surface runoff

OVERLOADING THE SYSTEM!!

OUTFALLS Where combined sewer water and runoff is discharged into rivers

Separate sewer and Stormwater Excludes surface runoff from sanitary waste

Google: “what happens after the flush” esa21.kennesaw.edu/activities/ww.../ww-treat-after-flush-epa.pdf What happens after the flush?

(BMPs)

Swales A ditch that channels and absorbs stormwater runoff. Slows stormwater’s entrance into streams or lakes. The best kinds are planted with native vegetation.

Swale Pics! Vegetated swaleSwale with dams

Retention vs. Detention Retention Ponds (Wet Pond) Detention Pond (Dry Pond) A Permanent, man-made pond used to hold stormwater and release it slowly. A man-made basin that holds water temporarily during heavy storms.

Rain Barrels Containers used by people to catch stormwater that would normally run off their roof and into the storm drain. Common uses: Watering lawns Wash cars / clothes

Cisterns A LARGE container used to store water to be used at a later time. Usually is underground

Green Roofs A building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation. Advantages: 1. absorbs rainwater 2. insulation to house 3. habitat for wildlife 4. lowers urban air temperatures MORE COOL EXAMPLES

Rain Garden A sunken vegetated area used to collect and store stormwater. Often used near parking lots.

Permeable Pavements Surfaces paved with materials that allow the passage of stormwater to the soil beneath.

more photos

City Plan Project