STORMWATER POLLUTANTS Any substance that can render water harmful to people, fish, or wildlife or impair recreation or other beneficial uses of water is considered a pollutant. • Insecticides • Herbicides • Fungicides • Wood Preservatives • Antifreeze • Dry cleaning chemicals • Cleansers • Agricultural lands • Construction Sites • Parks • Golf courses • Residential lawns 5 OXYGEN-DEMANDING SUBSTANCES • Use dissolved oxygen in water when they decay or chemically react • Slow-moving waters are particularly susceptible because their aeration by turbulence is lacking, and is often very severe after a storm • Common oxygen-demanding substances include: • Plant debris • Food waste • Some chemical wastes • Animal waste 6 NUTRIENTS • Excess levels can over-stimulate algae and other plant growth, resulting in unpleasant odors, unsightly surface scums, and lower dissolved oxygen levels, especially in slow-moving waters (lakes, sluggish streams, etc.) • Algae can cause taste and odor problems in drinking water, foul- smelling odors in ponds and lakes, and clog water intakes, drains, and pipes • Common nutrients include: • Fertilizers and animal wastes • Failing septic systems • Detergents • Road salts and sands • Automobile emissions • Organic matter (lawn clippings, leaves, etc.) 7 METALS • Lead, copper, zinc, cadmium and other heavy metals commonly found in urban runoff contaminate surface, ground, and drinking waters, and concentrate in bottom sediments, which pose as health problems for fish and other animals • Common sources of heavy metals in runoff include: • Industrial areas • Scrap yards • Paints and pesticides • Fallout from automobile emissions 8 PH VALUE • Very acidic or very basic waters are corrosive to metal surfaces and can cause biological problems for aquatic organisms and fish • Desirable pH is a range of 6 to 8 for most bodies of water • Common sources include: • Industrial processes • Metal plating solutions • Acidic printing and graphic art chemicals • Cement • Chemical cleaners 1 OILS & GREASES • A common component of stormwater runoff, primarily because there are so many common sources: • Streets and highways • Parking lots • Food waste storage areas • Heavy equipment and machinery storage areas • Areas where pesticides have been applied • Can be petroleum-based or food related • Toxic to aquatic organisms • Can clog drainage facilities, which leads to increased maintenance costs and potential flooding problems 2 TOXIC ORGANIC COMPOUNDS • Pesticides and PCBs are particularly dangerous in the aquatic environments • These toxic compounds include phenols, glycol ethers, esters, nitrosamines, and other nitrogen compounds • Common sources include: 3 SEDIMENTS • The most common pollutant in storm water runoff by volume and weight • Excess concentrations turn stream and lake water cloudy, smothering fish and plant life, trout and salmon eggs, and destroying insect habitats • Other pollutants can attach to soil particles, including oils, metals, bacteria, and nutrients • Common sources of sediments in runoff include: • Agricultural land erosion • Road salts and sands • Pressure washing and sandblasting fallout • Equipment and vehicle dirt • Paved areas (parking lots, driveways, etc.) 4 FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA • May indicate the presence of pathogenic bacteria and viruses when found in water • Can be a problem for treating drinking water and limit recreational use of a water body • Common sources include: • Pet and other animal wastes • Agricultural areas and Hobby farms • Fertilizers Scan the QR code to learn more.
