Make the Connection

Ever wonder what happens to a drop of rain after it falls? There's a good chance a raindrop that falls in the city will quickly pick up pollutants, slip into a storm sewer, and travel to surrounding waterways. Water is the bringer of life and necessary for survival, but because of the way we have built our cities, rain and snowmelt pose a serious problem to the health of our rivers and lakes. Polluted water in turn, impacts the health and welfare of plants and animals, including humans.

Get to Know Your Rain

Every raindrop is part of a complete water cycle that drains through watersheds and eventually returns to the clouds. In urban landscapes its drainage is modified by sewers and impermeable surfaces.

Urban Runoff

Water moves quickly across impermeable surfaces, picks up pollutants and dumps them into our rivers and lakes. Many of these pollutants arise from everyday practices that we often overlook.

Costs of Stormwater

Costs associated with stormwater in the urban environment are astronomical. Cost factors include: washed out roads, flooded basements, poisoned wildlife, habitat destruction and waterborne disease.

Wet Weather Policy

Crumbling infrastructure and increased development have forced governments at all levels to take a second look at stormwater management and water pollution control.

Path to Clean Water

The solution to many of these problems lies with retaining, filtering and using water in your yard before it ever leaves your lot. Five Things You Can Do gives details on some of the things you can do to protect our rivers.

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