United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
August 1993
832-F-93-002
Office of Water
WH-547
*B* When It Rains,
It Drains '
What Everyone Should
Know About Storm Water
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WHAT IS STORM
WATER?
Storm water is water from precipita-
tion that flows across the ground
and pavement when it rains or
when snow and ice melt. The water
seeps into the ground or drains into
what we call storm sewers. These
are the drains you see at street
corners or at low points on the sides
of your streets. Collectively, the
draining water is called storm water
runoff and is a concern to us in
commercial and industrial sites as
well as your neighborhood because
of the pollutants it carries.
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COMMON CO
INDUSTRY - At industrial sites, chemical spills that
contain toxic substances, smoke stacks that spew emis-
sions, and uncovered or unprotected outdoor storage
or waste areas can contribute pollutants to storm
water runoff.
AGRICULTURE - Pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides
used in crop production can be toxic to aquatic life and
can contribute to over-enrichment of the water, caus-
ing excess algae growth and oxygen depletion. Al-
though storm water runoff from agricultural areas is
not regulated under the EPA storm water permitting
program, it is a nonpoint source of storm water pollu-
tion covered under other EPA programs.
WHAT ARE SOME OF
THEIR EFFECTS ON
PLANTS, ANIMALS,
AND HUMANS?
When polluted storm water runoff reaches our
waterways, it can have many adverse effects on
aquatic plant and animal life, other wildlife that use
the water, hiyiM^s who drink the water, use it for
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NTRIBUTORS T
CONSTRUCTION - Waste from chemicals and materi-
' als used in construction can wash into our waterways
during wet weather. Soil that erodes from construc-
tion sites can contribute to environmental degrada-
tion as well.
Sediment and other debris clog
fish gills, damage fish
habittit, and block the
light needed for the
plants to survive.
hing, boating, swimming and other recreational
tivities, and on humans and animals who eat the
ntaminated fish and othj^eafood.
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STORM WAT
HOUSEHOLD - Vehicles drip fluids (oil, grease, gaso-
line, antifreeze, brake fluids, etc.) onto paved areas
where storm water runoff carries them through our
storm drains and into our waterways.
HOUSEHOLD - Chemicals used to grow and maintain
beautiful lawns and gardens, if not used properly, can
run off into the storm drains when it rains or when we
water our lawns and gardens.
Storm water picks
up debris such as plustii
' that can choke, suffocate
or disahle marine life such
| as dolphins and turtles.
Shellfish h
contamin
with fxilli
that settle
of rivers, strt
rendering thi
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ER POLLUTION
HOUSEHOLD - Pet wastes left on the ground get
carried away by storm water, contributing harmful
bacteria, parasites and viruses to our waterways.
OTHER COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
THAT COULD CAUSE POLLUTION IF
CARRIED OFF BY STORM WATER RUNOFF
OR DUMPED DOWN STORM SEWERS:
• Ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners
• Car care products such as detergents with phosphate
and car waxes
• Paint, paint thinners, varnish, furniture refinishing
products, paint brush cleaners
• Concrete or wood sealants
• Degreasers
• Chlorine bleaches and disinfectants (for swimming
pools, etc.)
If storm water contaminates
our rivers, lakes, and oceans,
we will no longer he able to
use them as recreational areas.
:ome
ted
>ants
o the bottoms
ims, and oceans,
shellfish inedible.
Storm water can
contribute to pollution
of our water supplies,
making monitoring
and treatment of
our drinking water
more difficult
and more costly.
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WHAT
CAN I DO
TO HELP?
Airst, become more aware of what
may be causing storm water pollu-
tion in your area.
Second, help your municipality by:
1. Reporting to your local munici-
pal officials -
• Any dumping of inappropri-
ate materials into storm
water drains (such as oil,
antifreeze).
• Construction sites over 5
acres that do not have
erosion or sediment controls.
2. Using good housekeeping prac-
tices with lawn care chemicals,
oil, gasoline, pet wastes, etc.
3. Helping to start or participating
in programs to recycle and
safely dispose of used oil and
household hazardous wastes and
containers.
4. Telling others about pollution
from storm water runoff and
what they can do to help.
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Debris along street picked up by storm water.
WHY 1$ STORM WATER A PROBLEM?
Storm water is a problem when it picks up
debris, chemicals, and other pollutants as it
flows or when it causes flooding and erosion
of stream banks. The pollutants are deposited
untreated into our waterways. The result can
be the closing of our beaches; no swimming,
fishing or boating; and injury to the plants
and animals that live in or use the water.
WHAT ARE THESE POLLUTANTS?
WHERE DO THEY COME FROM ?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THEIR
EFFECTS ON PLANTS, ANIMALS,
AND HUMANS ?
The following information will answer these
questions and let you know what you and
your community can do to help recognize
where there could be a problem and what to
do to help solve it!
EPA has a storm water program that, with
your help, can keep our rivers, lakes, streams,
and oceans open to use and enjoyment, and
healthy for plants and animals to live in.
Debris wash
on the beach by storm water.
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WHERE DOES THE
STORM WATER GO
AFTER IT DRAINS
INTO STORM
SEWERS?
Storm water that does not seep
into the ground, drains into
systems of underground pipes or
roadside ditches and may travel for
many miles before being released
into a lake, river, stream, wetland
area, or coastal waters.
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M
M
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT
MORE INFORMATION?
Your EPA Regional Office
(Water Management Division)
1. EPA Region I (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Bldg.; Boston, MA 02203
617-565-3478
2. EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza; New York, NY 10278
212-264-2513
3. EPA Region III (DE, MD, PA, VA, WV, DC)
841 Chestnut Street; Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-597-9410
4. EPA Region IV (AL, GA, FL, MS, NC, SC, TN,
KY) 345 Courtland St., NE; Atlanta, GA 3036'
404.347.4450
5. EPA Region V (IE, IN, OH, MI, MN, WI)
77 W. Jackson Blvd.; Chicago, IL 60604
312-353-2145
6. EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, TX, NM)
1445 Ross Ave., Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
214-655-7100
7. EPA Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Ave.; Kansas City, KS 66101
913-551-7030
8. EPA Region VIII (CO, UT, WY, MT, ND, SD)
999 18th St., Suite 500; Denver, CO 80202
303-293-1542
9. EPA Region IX (AZ, CA, GM, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street; San Francisco, CA
94105
415-744-2125
1O. EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Ave.; Seattle, WA 98101
206-553-1793
Other sources include:
• Storm Water Hotline (703) 821-4823
• State and Local Agencies
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paper thai
contains at least U^Kecvcted fiber
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EPA NATi
MUNICIPAL PROGRAM
Here are some of the most important steps your
community can take to control storm water pollution:
Prevent the release into the storm sewer system of hazardous substances
such as used oil or household or yard chemicals
Make sure new commercial and residential developments include storm
water management controls, such as reducing areas of paved surfaces to
allow storm water to seep into the ground.
Promote practices such as street sweeping, limiting use of road salt,
picking up litter, and disposing of leaves and yard wastes quickly.
Collect samples of storm water from industrial sites to see whether
pollutants are being released. If so, identify the type and quantity
of pollutants being released.
ff
Design and institute flood control projects in a way that does not
impair water quality.
Prevent runoff of excess pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides by using
them properly and efficiently. (Commercial, institutional, and
residential landscapes can be designed to prevent pollution, conserve
water, and look beautiful at the same time.)
Make sure that construction sites control the amount of soil that is
washed off by rain into waterways.
Promote citizen participation and public group activity to increase
awareness and education at all levels. Encourage local collection
pick-up days and recycling of household hazardous waste materials
to prevent their disposal into storm drains.
MUNICIPAL SUCCESS STORY
northwest city, recognizing the need for storm water management, set
up a special water utility to oversee all local government storm water control
activities and to raise the money for storm water projects. The city collects
fees from citizens using the storm water sewer system and uses the funds to
implement storm water programs. The program is still successfully provid-
ing funds for such varied purposes as flood control, maintenance of existing
storm water controls, and public education.
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ATER
e can agree that the best way to protect
water quality is to avoid polluting it in the first
place. EPA has a National Storm Water Permit
Program that focuses on municipal and indus-
trial pollution prevention to help control storm
water pollution. This program involves issuing
permits to certain municipalities and industries
to control storm water pollution. Development
of State and local storm water management
programs can help to achieve the Clean Water
Act goals of fishable and swimmable waters.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRAM
Storm water permits require many industrial facilities to
prepare and implement storm water pollution prevention
plans. Listed below are examples of industries and their
pollution prevention activities.
Owners of construction sites that disturb 5 or more acres must develop a
plan before beginning construction. The plan must limit the area of
disturbed soil and provide controls — like sediment basins — to keep
sediment from running off.
Operators of saw mills can reduce pollution by storing their materials
and processing their products indoors; and removing any by-products
from outdoor areas before these products come in contact with storm
water runoff.
Operators of landfills should keep the storm water runoff from flowing
over the pollutants and carrying them off the landfill site.
Airport employees can reduce storm water runoff pollution by using
de-icing chemicals only in designated collection areas and by cleaning
oil and grease spills from pavement immediately.
Chemical plant operators should develop spill prevention plans and use
types of containers that do not rust or leak, eliminating exposure of
materials to storm water runoff.
Owners of automobile junkyards should drain fluids from junked cars
and properly dispose of hazardous chemicals.
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Chemical plant operators should develop spill prevention plans and use
types of containers that do not rust or leak, eliminating exposure of
materials to storm water runoff.
Permits issued for municipal storm water sys-
tems allow communities to design storm water
management programs that are suited for con-
trolling pollutants in their own municipal sys-
tems. EPA hopes this flexibility will encourage
community interest and participation in solv-
ing storm water runoff problems.
Owners of automobile junkyards should drain fluids from junked cars
and properly dispose of hazardous chemicals.
Operators of trucking terminals should develop good housekeeping
practices that clean up leaks and spills of oil and grease from the path of
storm water runoff.
INDUSTRIAL PROGRAM
Most permits issued under the storm water
program require development and use of a storm
water pollution prevention plan. Such plans
describe how the facility will prevent storm
water from becoming polluted by making sure
that:
• Potential pollutants are not left outside un-
covered
• Spills are prevented
• If spills occur, they are cleaned up right
away
• There is no dumping of polluting substances
into storm drains
• Grass and other vegetation is planted as
quickly as possible after soils are disturbed
Some permits may require more extensive pol-
lution control.
Power plant operators often store piles of coal and other fuels that have
toxic components. Runoff from coal piles must be treated; other
substances should be stored away from any possible contact with storm
water runoff.
INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS STORY
A
manufacturing facility located) in a large midwestern city took an
innovative approach to storm wate^ management. Employees at a plant
with a large fueling station noticed! that during a rain storm, the runoff
flowing into the city's storm sewer Isystem had an oily sheen, caused by
spilled fuel. To prevent future spills^ the plant trained its drivers to avoid
overfilling fuel tanks, laid down sawdust around the fueling station to
absorb any accidental spills (the plant is careful not to wash the sawdust
down the drain), and installed an oil/ water separator to remove oil from the
runoff before the runoff enters the storm drain.
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