Stormwater management and why it matters

Posted 10/14/21

Stormwater runoff begins as rain. It carries pollutants from land surfaces on its way to water bodies such as streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Stormwater management and why it matters

Posted

GLADES COUNTY — Stormwater runoff begins as rain. It carries pollutants from land surfaces on its way to water bodies such as streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans. The pollutants picked up by stormwater come from a variety of sources, such as litter, sand, bacteria and chemicals.

Stormwater pollution is one of the most difficult sources of water pollution to control because it is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Everyone can help prevent stormwater pollution and in turn protect our water resources. By putting fewer pollutants on the land, stormwater will be cleaner as it flows into our streams, lakes, rivers and the ocean.

Clean water is necessary for drinking, swimming, fishing, boating and for protecting wildlife. It is far less costly to prevent pollution to waterways than it is to clean polluted waterways up after the fact. Unmanaged stormwater runoff causes both flooding and pollution. It is important to properly manage stormwater runoff to reduce its negative consequences.

Glades County is required to comply with state and federal regulations on managing stormwater. Residents can help by properly caring for their lawns and cars, not littering and never putting anything down storm drains, not blowing leaves and grass into storm drains or ditches, properly maintaining septic systems and reporting illegal dumping. Business owners can help by properly disposing of contaminated water, properly recycling oil and grease, and keeping toxic materials contained and stored properly. Developers can help by implementing erosion control measures and revegetate as soon as possible to help control erosion.

stormwater, pollutants, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, litter, sand, bacteria, chemicals

Comments

x