The 50 Issues

Issue #11: They Paved Paradise

What is Stormwater Runoff?
"Stormwater discharges are generated by precipitation and runoff from land, pavements, building rooftops and other surfaces. These hardened surfaces are called ‘impervious surfaces’ and they do not allow rainfall to infiltrate into the soil surface like natural vegetation, so more of the rainfall becomes stormwater runoff. Storm water runoff accumulates pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land. Heavy precipitation or snowmelt can also cause sewer overflows that may...Read More

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Stormwater Campaign works to ensure that every drop of water that flows over our streets, buildings, construction sites, parking lots, lawns and farms enters our waterbodies free of toxins, nutrients and other pollutants. Waterkeeper Alliance works regionally... read more


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Clean Water Victories in 2007
Stormwater Effluent Guidelines

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What You Can Do

  • Join Team Mud Busters
    A local Chesapeake Bay group shows you how to monitor construction projects for sediment runoff.
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Environmental News

news Several Tennessee Streams Polluted

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has released a draft list of waterways... read more

news When It Rains, Sewage Often Pours

Besides flooding subways, the wild downpour this week provided a disconcerting glimpse into one... read more