What is the Problem?

​When it rains, stormwater washes over sidewalks, asphalt, compacted soil, driveways, and other difficult to penetrate surfaces, heading directly for storm drains.  On the journey, the runoff picks up pet waste, yard clippings, lawn chemicals, motor oils, soaps, bacteria, and other hazardous pollutants.  The stormwater that doesn't soak into the ground is know as surface runoff.  The flooding of stormwater containing chemicals into our waterways is known as "Non-Point Source Pollution."  Excess nutrients flowing into waterways can cause algae blooms, which remove oxygen from the ecosystem, and marine life can't thrive in low oxygen levels.  Hazardous waste can also poison and kill aquatic life, and animals and humans consuming contaminated fish or shellfish can become ill

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​​Storm Drain 

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