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OUR WATER. OURS TO PROTECT. |
There are numerous sources of water pollution that have come under better control the last 25 years. However, stormwater runoff remains is mostly untreated and is now a recognized as a significant source of pollution. Stormwater runoff occurs when rainfall or snowmelt runs over land – picking up pollutants along the way – and deposits the polluted runoff in our lakes and streams. This contributes to the much publicized beach closures in our region. Polluted stormwater runoff This is a concern in Southeast Michigan and other areas of the country and will continue to be a challenge as our region continues to develop. This is largely due to the growing number of impervious surfaces, for example, roads, parking lots, rooftops, and buildings. Increased impervious surface adds to the amount and rate of pollutants in our stormwater. Developing communities and older communities alike are challenged with reducing these stormwater impacts to protect our valuable water resources. Listed below are definitions to some common terms to better illustrate the problems that can be associated with stormwater.
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the rainfall or snowmelt that flows over our yards, streets, parking lots, and buildings and either enters the storm drain system or runs directly into a lake or stream.
What is a storm drain?
Storm drains are the openings you see along curbs and in streets and parking lots. They carry away rainwater and snowmelt and transport it through the system to nearby lakes and streams. Water and other debris that enter storm drains do not go to a treatment facility.
What is a sanitary sewer?
A sanitary sewer takes household water and waste from toilets, sinks and showers, and transports it to a wastewater treatment facility. There, the water is treated and then discharged back to a lake or stream.
How does stormwater get polluted?
As stormwater flows over our lawns and driveways, it picks up fertilizers, oil, chemicals, grass clippings, litter, pet waste, and anything else in its path. The storm drain system then transports these pollutants, now in the water, to local lakes and streams. Anything that goes into a storm drain eventually ends up in a lake or stream.
For more easy steps on protecting our lakes and streams, visit www.semcog.org or www.crwc.org . Links to these pages are also available at this WEB site. Please look for more information on this topic in future issues of the Insider, too. Also, additional information is available at Center Line City Hall. Remember, our water is our future – and "it’s ours to protect!”
If you suspect or are aware of a water pollution issue, please contact the Macomb County Water Pollution Hotline at (877) 679-4337.