Date: 03/20/18

To: Water & Land Resources Director, Land Use & Environmental Services Agency
From: Daniel Walser
Subject: Surface Water Pollution Report
Reference: Environmental impact study of runoff on regions surface water.
Action Required: Approve or deny preventative recommendations by 07/15/18.
Distribution List: Storm Water Services Team

The contaminants carried by storm water runoff are a major contribution to pollution in our lakes and
streams. We have been receiving more reports and complaints from affected fishermen, businesses, and
environmentalists. The pollutants in our local lakes and streams are a problem caused by numerous
different sources. If not addressed, it will only become a larger issue. By properly dealing with these
problems, we can improve the outdoor recreational opportunities for our citizens but also spur new
economic prospects in the area as well.

Summary
Water pollution can be caused by runoff from many sources including residential and construction
activities. This is a serious issue that will have major consequences on both the environment and the
economic activity around our lakes and streams if left unchecked.

Sources of Storm Water Pollution

Storm water pollution is a broad classification and can include a large variety of pollutants. Anything
that’s carried in runoff from large trash to small chemical spills can be considered storm water pollution.
It is an even bigger issue in urban areas where there is little permeable soil for pollutants to soak into.
Instead pollutants collect and concentrate on roads and parking lots until rainwater washes them into
our lakes and streams.

Residential
Residential sources of storm water pollution can come from many different sources but are often easy to
prevent if citizens are informed and conscientious. Washing paint brushes or disposing of chemicals
outside is one potential source. Even washing a car in the driveway where the soap and oils get washed
into the street instead of the yard is harmful. There is also the problem of litter and yard waste that can
be washed away. Another common pollutant that many are not aware of is that of pet waste. If left on
the ground, pet waste can be a large contributor to bacterial pollution. As a final example, many lawn
fertilizers can contribute to storm water pollution especially if used in excess, causing them not to be
absorbed into the soil.

Construction
One of the largest sources of construction related storm water pollution is one many would not think of
as a pollutant. The loose soil common at construction sites or tracked onto the road by vehicles leaving
the sites is one of the most harmful sources of pollutants. As the soil and sediment is washed into lakes
and streams, it clouds the water and can make it difficult for fish to breathe and remain healthy. This
erosion can cause issues anywhere it occurs, even naturally. However, construction often creates the
worst-case situation of stripping away the soil retaining vegetation and further loosening otherwise
compacted soil with machinery. This is further amplified due to the tendency for construction to often
occur around areas with a high density of asphalt covering the ground and increased runoff as a result.
There are other areas of concern with storm water pollution in construction as well such as oil and
hydraulic fluid leaks from construction equipment or the increased runoff caused by the structure after it
is built.

Impact of Storm Water Pollution

Environmental
Storm water pollution can negatively affect the environment around lakes and streams in different ways
depending on the type and amount of pollution. Aquatic life can be greatly impacted from harmful
chemicals, suffocating sediments, or dangerous litter. Even if only one species is vulnerable, the entire
ecosystem can be greatly harmed by the change in numbers of that species.

Economic
The impact of storm water pollution on the local economy can be severe and come from multiple
sources in some cases. The environmental harm to fish directly reduces fishermen’s ability to be
productive. Additionally, if the fish become poisoned by a pollutant, it can completely stop all fishing
activity. There is also the impact to businesses that rely on clean sources of surface water for their
operations. When these sources become unacceptably polluted for their uses other sources may be
needed, which could drive them elsewhere. Finally, polluted lakes and streams can be a major risk to
public health. Leisure activities in the water could become dangerous and current water treatment
techniques could become inadequate with the addition of harmful chemicals to the sources of drinking
water.

Conclusion
Our lakes and streams provide a place for recreation and economic growth in the area as well as being
the home to our aquatic wildlife. Our ability to help address the issues we have with storm water
pollution not only benefits us now but also the generations that come after us. The actions we take will
have a long-lasting effect on our community. There is not a simple solution to these issues but with our
combined efforts we can make a difference.

Recommendations
Monitoring
It is necessary to install monitoring sensors at various locations throughout waterways to isolate and
locate pollution when it occurs. Discharge points at streams and creeks need to be monitored more
closely and the pollutant levels kept track of to find increases. Water ways that are near large industrial
sites, construction sites, and landfills also need to be monitored specifically to ensure they are remaining
within runoff guidelines.
Public Awareness and Education
To reduce residential sources of pollution, a public awareness and education campaign must be started
to inform citizens of what they can do to prevent the pollution they cause and why it is important to
them and our environment. An easy and simple system needs to be made and promoted to allow
citizens to report any issues or concerns they have concerning storm water pollution. In addition, signs
will be posted at areas where illegal discharge have been a problem and storm drains will be clearly
marked to remind and warn about the consequences of harmful waste disposal.

References
“Storm Water and Pollution of Streams and Lakes”, Storm Water Services,
charlottenc.gov/StormWater/SurfaceWaterQuality/Pages/StormwaterandPollutionofStreamsandLakes.as
px. Accessed 14 March 2018.

“NPDES Stormwater Program”, EPA, www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program. Accessed 14

March 2018.