Working for Clean Water
An Information Program for Advisory Groups
Urban Stormwater
Runoff
What is urban stormwater runoff?
Why is it a problem?
What are urban stormwater pollutants?
Where do they come from?
What are the Best Management Practices (BMPs)
for the control of pollution from
urban nonpoint sources?
What can advisory groups do to improve
the management of urban stormwater?
Citizen Handbook
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This program was prepared by
The Pennsylvania State University
Institute of State & Regional
Affairs
Middletown, PA 17057
Dr. Charles A. Cole
Project Director
Dr. E. Drannon Buskirk, Jr.
Project Co-Director
Prof. Lorna Chr. Stoltzfus
Editor
This unit was prepared by
Robert A. Simko
Advisory Team for the Project
David Elkinton, State of West
Virginia
Steve Frishman, private citizen
Michele Frome, private citizen
John Hammond, private citizen
Joan Jurancich, State of California
Richard Hetherington, EPA
Region 10
Rosemary Henderson, EPA
Region 6
George Hoessel, EPA Region 3
George Neiss, EPA Region 5
Ray Pfortner, EPA Region 2
Paul Pinault, EPA Region 1
Earlene Wilson, EPA Region 7
Dan Burrows, EPA Headquarters
Ben Gryctko, EPA Headquarters
Robert Hardaker, EPA
Headquarters
Charles Kauffman, EPA
Headquarters
Steve Maier, EPA Headquarters
EPA Project Officer
Barry H. Jordan
Office of Water Programs
Operations
Acknowledgements
Typists:
Ann Kirsch, Jan Russ, Tess
Startoni
Student Assistants:
Fran Costanzi, Kathy DeBatt,
Mike Moulds, Terry Switzer
Illustrator:
Charles Speers
Graphics support was provided by
the Office of Public Awareness,
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
Photographs were provided by
EPA Documerica.
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Urban Stormwater Runoff
What Is Urban Stormwater
Runoff?
Urban Stormwater runoff is the water
which flows off lawns, streets, paved areas,
and rooftops during and after a rainstorm.
This rain removes chemicals and
suspended particles from the air. As it
flows across the ground it gathers dust,
debris, litter, animal refuse, and toxic
substances. Although the environment
often seems cleaner after a rainfall, in
reality Stormwater runoff merely carries
pollution from one place to another.
Unfortunately, what is washed from the
streets, parking lots, and rooftops in an
area may turn up in the water supply
somewhere else.
What Are Nonpoint Source
Pollutants?
Most people think of urban pollution as
belching smokestacks, auto exhaust, and
industrial wasteall of which originate
from an identifiable source. Technically,
these pollutants are identified as coming
from point sources, places that literally can
be pointed out.
Stormwater runoff, because it collects
pollutants from a wide area, is called a
nonpoint source of pollution. Though much
less obvious than point sources, it can be
equally as hazardous.
Toxic substances in Stormwater include
acid, dust, and coal particles from
atmospheric fallout. Pollutants associated
with automobiles include lead, asbestos,
grease, rubber, and de-icing chemicals such
as salt. Urban construction sites contribute
sediment, plant debris, and asphalt.
Stormwater also contains public refuse
such as street litter.
Origins of Urban Nonpoint Source
Pollutants
Automotive Traffic
Heavy metals such as lead
Asbestos
Acid-making substances
Salts
Construction Activities
Dirt
Asphalt and paint
Oil and cleaning solvents
Airborne Fallout
Smokestack debris
Coal dust
Acid-making substances
Dirt
Public Refuse
Animal and plant refuse
Street debris
Trash
Street litter clogging a catch basin
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Combined
Sewer
System
Untreated
effluent
Combined sewer
Treated
effluent
Transport of stormwater and wastewater together
in combined sewers to treatment plant.
Separate
Sewer
System
Sanitary sewer
Stormwater sewer
Treated
effluent
How Are Urban Nonpoint
Source Pollutants
Transported?
Stormwater runoff is a major problem in
many urban areas. This is because much of
a city's land surface is covered by buildings
and pavement. The pavement collects and
channels the pollutant-laden stormwater,
and directs it into the city's sewer system.
Urban stormwater enters either a
combined sewer system which carries both
municipal sewage and stormwater runoff,
or a separate sewer which takes the
stormwater directly to the nearest lake or
stream. Combined sewers transport the
stormwater to the treatment plant,
possibly overload the plant, or bypass it to
flow directly to the surface waters. Thus, it
is not just stormwater that enters the lakes
and rivers when there is a treatment plant
overflow, but stormwater mixed with raw
sewage.
How Serious Is The
Problem?
In the past water quality planning was
directed towards controlling point source
pollution. Now, nonpoint source pollution
is receiving increasing attention. It is a
vital concern in water quality decisions for
both urban and rural areas.
The full impacts of nonpoint source
pollutants in urban areas are only now
being assessed:
~ The water quality of over 75 percent of
urban areas studied by the Council on
Environmental Quality were found to be
controlled by nonpoint source pollutants
Construction sites may have a sediment
runoff rate 100 times greater than
sedimentation from farmland
* According to the State of Illinois, nearly
half of the pollution in the Chicago
waterways is due to combined sewer
overflows.
Urban stormwater runoff is of short
duration, but it has far greater impacts
than those of treated wastewaters. Over
the same time period during a storm,
urban runoff contributes much more heavy
metals, suspended solids, and other
substances to watercourses as compared to
treated wastewaters.
Transport of stormwater and wastewater in sewers
separately to surface ivaters and treatment plant.
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Heavy storms which only last a short
period of time (15 to 30 minutes) usually
contribute the largest amounts of pollution.
This is due to erosion and the dislodging of
pollutant particles from surfaces.
Planning for Nonpoint
Source Pollution
The concern about nonpoint pollution is
growing. Section 208 of the Clean Water
Act requires the control of nonpoint
sources of pollution. State and local
governments and areawide planning
agencies are responsible for developing the
control plans.
A six-step planning sequence is suggested
for nonpoint source pollution prevention
and abatement:
1. Set water quality goals and standards
2. Assess the local nonpoint source
pollution situation
3. Determine allowable pollution loads for
the various pollutant sources
4. Select Best Management Practices
5. Develop and implement a plan
6. Monitor the water quality and revise
plans as necessary.
Step one establishes the basis for analysis
and decision making.
States probably have already set
water quality goals and standards, but
advisory groups still have a role.
Matters such as the scope of the
studies and guidelines for considering
possible tradeoffs have to be dealt
with.
In step two, the sources, magnitude, and
extent of nonpoint source pollution are
assessed. The relationships between land
use and the stormwater runoff are also
determined. This step is difficult because it
requires the collection of large amounts of
data over an extended period of time.
Pollutant Loading during a Storm
6-
5-
Suspended
solids 4~
and BOD
3-
Pounds
per hour 2-
(x 100,000)
1-
0-
''/z'ff-
>%-'<
iff-
-'* '' V
-':'"
'~;'y'^
mm
:i%
i?';
'&
vC
, *'* '/'
i'Si
';' .'-'
'V '"'<
t' ' ,
Pil
Suspended BOD Lead
solids
-6
-5
~ 4 Lead
-3
Pounds
_ 2 per hour
(x 100)
-1
-0
Urban runoff
Secondary treatment
Information on urban stormwater includes:
o Stormwater and surface water
characteristics
o Environmental factors such as soils,
slope, surface cover, and climate
o Pollutant types, amounts, and sources
9 Demographic factors such as population
and land use
o Existing and predicted urban
stormwater problems, including those
resulting from combined sewer overflow
o Ways to control stormwater pollution to
meet the water quality standards
Cost estimates for stormwater
management plans.
Advisory groups can help identify the
objectives of the studies, and give
insights into local conditions. They also
can assist in dialogue between the
public and the technicians.
In step three allowable pollution loads are
set. These requirements are based upon
water quality standards, and
characteristics of the pollutants and
surface waters. This step is often bypassed
in nonpoint source planning due to
insufficient data.
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Best Management Practices (BMPs), the
techniques for preventing or controlling
nonpoint source pollution, are identified in
step four. Selection of the BMPs involves
the consideration of regulations, reliability,
fiscal aspects, technical matters,
environmental impacts, and inter-agency
coordination.
A fifth step in the process is the
implementation of the plan. Although the
plan is the responsibility of the agency,
various private and public organizations
participate.
The sixth and final step involves a constant
monitoring of the plan. Changes should be
made to meet future needs.
Input from advisory groups will be
needed in the continuing planning
process.
Advisory groups around the country are in
various stages of planning. Most areawide
208 advisory groups are in the latter
stages (Steps four to six). In contrast, many
201 advisory groups are just beginning the
planning process. Central to all advisory
group activities are the best management
practices and plan implementation.
Best Management Practices
The options for dealing with problems of
urban stormwater runoff range from doing
nothing, to strategies for catching the
stormwater runoff, storing it, and
channeling it through treatment facilities.
Doing nothing only neglects the problem
until the .waterways become open sewers.
On the other hand, it would cost billions of
dollars to separate the combined sewers, or
build treatment plants large enough to
handle all the stormwater that runs off
city streets.
Best Management Practices
Structural Controls
Porous pavement
Parking lot ponding
Infiltration systems
Diversion structures
Vegetation seeding and mulching
Rooftop ponding
Detention basins
Grade stabilization
Nonstructural Controls
Open storage regulations
Anti-litter laws
Air pollution abatement
Catch basin cleaning
Improved de-icing methods
Public education
Street cleaning
Land use ordinances
Other management alternatives are
available. They can be classified as
structural or nonstructural measures. The
structural ones involve the construction of
physical works such as catch basins and
dams. These Best Management Practices
(BMPs) are relatively expensive.
Nonstructural alternatives often are more
effective and less costly than structural
measures. In addition to erosion and flood
control benefits, they result in cleaner
neighborhoods and environmental
amenities. These approaches range from
improved urban maintenance programs, to
land use controls such as zoning to keep
pollution-prone firms away from
watercourses. Some of these nonstructural
BMPs include:
Anti-litter ordinances and educational
programs
Erosion controls in building codes and
subdivision regulations
Frequent trash removal and street
cleaning
Cleaning of catch basins and sewer pipes
Controls on herbicide and pesticide
usage.
Strict enforcement of regulations is crucial.
For example, effective street sweeping is
seriously impeded by parked cars, because
most of the street dirt lies within six
inches of the curb. The public often does
not realize the importance of such
measures.
Because of the variability in pollution
sources and physical factors such as
climate, soils, and topography, no one best
management practice will fit all situations.
BMPs must be tailored to fit the needs of
particular sources, and circumstances. In
urban areas, BMPs are often directed
towards three aspects of urban nonpoint
source pollution: erosion, pollutant sources,
and stormwater runoff.
At the 208 areawide planning level the
advisory group is concerned with
assessing which alternatives can be
implemented.
For example, where there is strong county
or regional government, land use
ordinances may be very effective in
controlling nonpoint sources of pollution.
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Runoff controls
Detention basins
Porous pavements
Ponds and lakes
In-line storage
Best Management Practice is a
sum of management techniques.
Erosion controls
Grass swales
Diversion berms
Hay bales
Sediment basins
Best Management Practice
Reduced erosion
Decreased pollutant loads
Fewer treatment plant overloads
Enhanced recreation
Source controls
Street cleaning
Sediment basin cleaning
Sewer flushing
Refuse pickup
Advisory groups involved with 201
local facilities planning should be
concerned with the implementation of
nonpoint source pollution BMPs for
two major reasons:
Assurance that local government
actions are compatible with the
areawide plans
Influence upon the design
requirements for wastewater treatment
facilities and/or programs.
Much information is known about urban
stormwater, but a better understanding of
pollution sources and control techniques is
needed. The United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated the
Nationwide Urban Runoff Program
(NURP) to provide some of the answers.
The main objective of this program is to
develop improved solutions to runoff
problems in various climates. Thirty
extensive studies are being conducted
under this program.
A Durham, New Hampshire study
measures the loading of urban runoff
constituents during individual storm events,
and evaluates maintenance practices such
as litter control, chemical-use control, street
sweeping, and detention basins.
A project of the Council of Governments in
Lane, Oregon, focuses on special concerns
such as toxic materials and air
quality-runoff interactions, management
practices, and promotion of public
awareness and actions.
Preliminary results of all the studies will
be available when the NURP compiles its
findings in a report to Congress in 1983.
Construction Activities
Construction is a major source of urban
stormwater pollution. About a million
acres of land are disturbed by construction
each year in the United States. Sediment
is the most common pollutant, but other
substances are washed from the
construction sites. These pollutants include
asphalt, paint, cleaning solvents, and
concrete compounds.
BMPs for construction activities fall into
two groups: controls for erosion, and
controls for chemicals and other
substances. Some principles for managing
soil erosion are:
Keeping barren soils exposed for a
minimum time period
Preserving as much natural cover,
topography, and drainage as possible
Protecting fragile and erosion-prone
areas from construction activities
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Prohibiting ground-disturbing activities
during heavy rainfall
Requiring stringent erosion prevention
and control practices.
Despite the most effective BMPs, some
erosion will always occur. Sedimentation
can be controlled effectively by basins
which trap runoff and allow sediment to
settle out before the water leaves the site.
For many construction projects these
basins should be permanent.
Certain chemicals, pesticides, and
fertilizers are also construction pollutants.
They should be prevented from entering
the water through proper storage and use.
Selection of
Best Management Practices
Advisory groups have an
important role in helping identify
BMPs that are most suitable for
the community. A few approaches
that may be pursued include:
Contacting experienced
municipal employees and labor
unions (who may have to
implement BMPs) for their
insights
Checking the compatibility of
local actions and regulations with
those of neighboring communities
Reviewing existing ordinances
to construction and other sources
of nonpoint source pollution
Explaining and publicizing the
relationships between water
quality and ordinances to the
public.
Regulatory vs. Voluntary
Control Programs
The effectiveness of voluntary versus
regulatory approaches to nonpoint source
controls is a continuing controversy. Many
prog" ams, such as erosion and
sed; mentation abatement, initially have
been voluntary. However, in an increasingly
urban society the regulatory programs may
work better than voluntary ones. Of
course, voluntary programs could be more
effective if incentives were present and
residents had pride in their cities.
Voluntary Programs
Voluntary programs for the control of
nonpoint sources of pollution should have
the following dimensions:
Leadership by organizations such as the
soil conservation agency at the state level,
and the council of governments at the local
level
Strong education and information
program through the state extension
service, agencies, and private groups
Technical and cost-sharing assistance
necessary to meet target abatement dates
Programs to check progress and to
evaluate periodically the work
effectiveness.
Regulatory Programs
If a regulatory program is required to meet
water quality objectives, a joint effort by
state agencies, local jurisdictions, and
other agencies may be needed. Effective
regulatory programs often have these
elements:
Enactment of state laws which provide
water quality standards and appropriate
management agencies
State soil conservation or municipal
assistance agency for preparing model
ordinances and regulations, and assisting
counties and municipalities in local
program development
Local authorities for designating BMPs,
approving construction site plans,
requiring building permits, and enforcing
building codes
Arrangements for funding
administrative and technical assistance
costs, and monetary incentives
Vigorous information and education
programs.
Advisory groups, of course, cannot
execute such actions. However, they
can influence decision-making
organizations, and act as an
ombudsman between the organizations
and the public.
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Management Agencies
Brief Recap
Several agencies have important roles in
the control of stormwater pollution. The
police department should enforce an
anti-litter ordinance as well as parking
regulations to keep curbs clear and allow
street sweeping equipment to work more
effectively. The highway maintenance
department should clean the sewers. The
town council should adopt a comprehensive
plan with zoning regulations to protect
fragile environments and unstable soils.
The conservation district should supervise
erosion and sedimentation control
programs. The Soil Conservation Service
should provide technical advice.
If the program is to be effective, all
agencies must understand their own
responsibilities and work together.
Cooperation is more likely to occur if a
formal, written agreement is made among
the agencies which will be working
together.
Questions to Keep in Mind
Advisory groups should keep the
following questions in mind when
advising agencies on alternative
solutions to urban stormwater runoff
pollution:
How much will it cost and how can it
be paid for? What are the public and
private costs (including capital,
operation, and maintenance)?
How effective is it in controlling
water pollution? To what extent are
pollutant loads reduced?
How easy will it be to implement?
What legal authority, financial
resources, and administrative abilities
are needed to carry out each option?
What water resources, land
resources, and cultural resources are
affected?
Is public health affected?
What other important impacts will it
have?
Urban stormwater runoff is a problem not
only because of its scope and the large
number and amounts of pollutants
involved, but also because of the associated
economic, social, institutional, and political
issues which are difficult to resolve. Some
of the more important issues are the cost
and effectiveness of nonpoint source
controls; the apparent need for more
regulatory, as opposed to voluntary, control
programs; and complications in water law.
Nonpoint source problems are variable,
widespread, and serious. Planning for the
control of such pollutants has lagged
behind point source efforts, but substantial
commitments are being made.
Controls and methods exist which reduce
the nutrient, pesticide, sediment, and
bacteria levels in urban stormwater runoff.
The EPA, however, currently lacks
detailed information on the BMPs used in
a specific situation with the resultant
improvement in water quality. More
studies of these relationships are needed.
Projects in the National Urban Runoff
Program are compiling such information.
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Case Study
Developer Fees Pay for
Stormwater Facilities
Weber and Davis Counties, Utah
The areawide water quality planning program for the
tri-county area of Weber River Water Quality Planning
Council started in June, 1975. A major effort of the
Council was directed toward documenting stormwater
facilities, identifying water quality related problems, and
developing a master plan to correct these problems. This
urban stormwater runoff study focused on the rapidly
growing Utah counties of Weber and Davis.
Best Management Practices
Several alternative control methods were considered to
alleviate flooding caused by urban stormwater runoff. The
study concluded that a combination of large, central
detention basins and smaller, onsite detention basins for
individual developments was the most effective means.
The construction of storm drains for peak flow was
rejected because of the cost of installing the large
diameter pipe needed to accommodate the high peak flow
from the cloudbursts common to the area.
The study also examined alternatives to control or reduce
the pollutant load that would accompany summer storms.
Physical treatment processes were judged to be the most
effective, but they were also the most expensive. Since no
stormwater collection system or combined sewers are in
use in Davis and Weber Counties, this alternative was
rejected in favor of the detention basins.
Because a large fraction of the total pollution load is
carried during the early stages of runoff, it is important to
design detention basins that will have all runoff detained
for a period of time. This measure allows for the reduction
of the pollutant load by settling, rather than using the
more conventional detention basins which accept runoff
only during the peak flow.
The Davis County Commissioners have:
established a committee to set drainage project
priorities for the county
adopted a stormwater runoff control ordinance for new
development.
This ordinance enables the county to assess a fee for any
additional stormwater facilities that are needed due to
development. The fee is seven percent of the fair market
value of the improved real estate. This was a major step
in improving water quality in Davis County.
Detention basin with riser pipe.
Implementation
For Davis County, where all sixteen municipalities have
implemented the master plan, the county government was
selected as the management agency. The creation of a new
and separate agency was considered, but it was rejected
because it would not have authority for land use planning,
developmental regulations, or the broad powers of county
government.
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Case Study
Pollution Source Analysis in
Planning
Central Piedmont, North Carolina
The planning area of the Triangle J Council of
Governments (TJCOG) consists of 1,750 square miles in
the central Piedmont section of North Carolina.
Sixty-eight percent of the region's population is contained
in three major urban centers (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel
Hill). The surrounding area is predominantly rural. In
1974, 22 communities participated in the water quality
planning process.
Data Collection and Analyses
One of the major elements in this program was an
in-depth study of nonpoint source pollution in the region.
The approach used was a comprehensive pollution source
analysis. Existing and projected water quality were
assessed. The source, duration, magnitude, and extent of
nonpoint sources specific to the planning area where
identified. This was the first such study conducted under
Section 208 grants.
The program also served as a demonstration effort to
determine the feasibility of characterizing nonpoint source
pollution as it relates to land use. This 12-month program
also used computer models, which have now been modified
to serve as water quality planning and evaluation tools.
The cost for this effort was $400,000.
The results of this program showed that nonpoint source
pollution potential was closely related to density of
development. Four primary land use categories were found
to represent potential nonpoint source pollution.
Pollutant Loading Rates Based on Model
Predictions
Land Use Pollutant Loading Rates (Ibs/acre/day)
Urban
Commercial
Residential
Rural
BOD
0.42
0.29
0.17
0.12
Suspended
Solids
11.6
21.5
18.5
15.0
Total
Nitrogen
.027
.026
.016
.008
Total
Phosphorus
.008
.010
.004
.003
The study also found that despite the high level of
sampling and monitoring, some nonpoint source problems
cannot be adequately documented. Pesticides, for example,
were not modeled because of the large number of different
chemicals used, and the expense of sampling and analysis
for this parameter.
Best Management Practices
The TJCOG study also reviewed a wide range of best
management practices (BMPs). Each was assessed on the
basis of effectiveness in reducing nonpoint source
pollutant loads which had been identified as problems by
the sampling and modeling effort. Each BMP was
analyzed in terms of its usefulness in reducing stormwater
runoff and suspended solids levels, as well as its cost and
effectiveness.
The least costly and most effective techniques controlled
the pollutants at their sources. These options were much
better than collecting and treating wastewaters containing
the pollutants. Although the nonpoint source assessment
concluded that the control of sediment was of primary
importance, other nonpoint sources of pollution were
identified.
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Implementation
The implementation of nonpoint source BMPs focused on
correcting problems through existing institutional and
legislative authorities and strengthening those authorities
where possible, rather than attempting to control all
potential sources.
Immediate controls were recommended for implementation
if they were practical and inexpensive. Improved water
quality could be expected by instituting better street
sweeping, passage of local ordinances, and the
employment of construction site inspectors.
TJCOG's sedimentation and erosion control program
includes erosion control during all phases of construction.
Better land management of construction sites is necessary
to reduce suspended solids and associated pollutants, such
as phosphorus and lead.
In order to control suspended solids, local governments
have indicated they will consider requiring erosion and
sedimentation control plans. Annual administrative costs
for this approach will range from under $1,000 for small
towns to over $65,000 for a countrywide program.
Street sweeper.
10
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Selected Resources
Amy, Gary, et al., Water Quality Management Planning for Urban Runoff, Report No. Need More
EPA-440/9-75-004, Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December T _ j_s o
1974.247 pp. Information/
This manual describes procedures for quantifying nonpoint source problems in
an area without the need of extensive data. It can be useful in assisting
planners in the preliminary evaluation of cost-effective abatement and control
practices. This publication is available as Order #0993A from the EPA Library
Services, Maildrop 35, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711.
The Hidden Dangers of Urban Stormwater, Washington, DC: Office of Water Program
Operations, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 10 pp.
An easy-to-read introduction to the basic problems of urban stormwater runoff. .
Should be one of the first resources consulted. Available as Order #5734 from
EPA Library Services, Maildrop 35, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.
Setting the Course for Clean Water, Washington, DC: National Wildlife Federation,
March 1978. 64 pp.
Subtitled "A Citizen's Guide to the Section 208 Water Quality Management
Program," this handbook is must reading for those citizens who want to
participate in the 208 program. Copies are available at $2 each from the
Education Division of the National Wildlife Federation, 1412 16th St., N.W.,
Washington, DC 20036.
Water Quality Management: Compendium I, Report No. EPA-440/3-77-026, Washington
DC: Water Planning Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 1977.
117 pp.
Presents 58 successful case studies of water quality management planning
agencies that are implementing 208 programs. The activities and solutions of
these agencies.are documented. Available as Order #4567 from EPA Library
Services, Maildrop 35, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711.
11
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Glossary
Best Management Practice (BMP)
technique which deals most effectively with a
given problem.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
amount of dissolved oxygen required by
bacteria to decompose organic matter in water;
measure used to indicate the amount of organic
wastes in water.
Catch Basin basin located at the point
where a street gutter discharges into a sewer;
catches and retains matter that would not pass
readily through the sewer.
Combined Sewer pipe that carries both
sewage and stormwater runoff.
Computer Modeling the programming of a
computer to use related input data for analyses
or problem solving.
Demography statistical study of
populations.
Detention Basin collects water until the
settling of particulates picked up by rain water
occurs naturally; the rate of drainage can be
controlled for natural runoff (similar to
retention basin).
Erosion the wearing away of land surface
by wind or water.
Heavy Metals metallic elements such as
mercury, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and
lead with high molecular weights. They can
damage living things at low concentrations and
tend to accumulate in the food chain.
Infiltration seepage of effluent through the
ground to the water table, or groundwater
leaking into cracked or broken sewers.
Nonpoint Source a contributing factor to
water pollution that can't be traced to a specific
spot, such as agricultural fertilizer runoff or
construction sediment.
Nonstructural Management Alternatives
land use controls such as zoning ordinances,
improved urban maintenance programs, etc.
Often more effective and less costly than
structural alternatives.
Point Source a stationary location such as
a pipe where pollutants are discharged.
Pollutant Loading amount of pollution
contributed by a given pollution source over a
time period.
Ponding (Parking Lot, Rooftop) occurs
when a structure is designed so that rain water
will collect within its boundaries and will exist
at a specific location at a controlled flowrate,
rather than running off uncontrolled.
Secondary Treatment treatment of
wastewater to remove all floating and
settleable solids; biochemical oxygen
demanding substances (BOD) and suspended
solids are reduced to a concentration of no more
than 30 mg/L in the effluent.
Sedimentation a nonpoint source of
pollution caused when construction disturbs the
soil and sediment is washed from the
construction site and enters urban stormwater.
Structural Management Alternatives
involve physical entities for delaying, blocking,
or trapping pollutants. As compared to
nonstructural approaches, they are often
expensive.
Suspended Solids (SS) tiny pieces of solid
pollutants in sewage that cause cloudiness and
require special treatment to remove.
12
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Working for Clean Water is a
program designed to help advisory
groups improve decision making in
water quality planning. It aims at
helping people focus on essential
issues and questions by providing
trained instructors and materials
suitable for persons with
non-technical backgrounds. These
materials include a citizen
handbook on important principles
and considerations about topics in
water quality planning, an
audiovisual presentation, and an
instructor guide for elaborating
points, providing additional
information, and engaging in
problem-solving exercises.
This program consists of 18
informational units on various
aspects of water quality planning:
Role of Advisory Groups
Public Participation
Nonpoint Source Pollution:
Agriculture, Forestry, and Mining
Urban Stormwater Runoff
Groundwater Contamination
Facility Planning in the
Construction Grants Program
Municipal Wastewater Processes:
Overview
Municipal Wastewater Processes:
Details
Small Systems
Innovative and Alternative
Technologies
Industrial Pretreatment
Land Treatment
Water Conservation and Reuse
Multiple Use
Environmental Assessment
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Wastewater Facilities Operation
and Management
Financial Management
The units are not designed to
make technical experts out of
citizens and local officials. Each
unit contains essential facts, key
questions, advice on how to deal
with the issues, and
clearly-written technical
backgrounds. In short, each unit
provides the information that
citizen advisors need to better
fulfill their role.
This program is available through
public participation coordinators at
the regional offices of the United
States Environmental Protection
Agency.D
This information program was
financed with federal funds from
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency under Cooperative
Agreement No. CT900980 01. The
information program has been
reviewed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and approved
for publication. Approval does not
signify that the contents
necessarily reflect the views and
policies of the Environmental
Protection Agency, nor does the
mention of trade names or
commercial products constitute
endorsement of recommendation
for use.
This project is dedicated to the
memory of Susan A. Cole.
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