subject: Stormwater Control: Out of sight, Not Out of Mind [print this page] The wet season of winter is just around the corner which for many parts of the United States means heavy amounts of rain and snow. However, with the increased fall of water comes the increased problem of pollution. What many people may not realize is that storm water is one of the main vehicles that carries litter and other harmful contaminants from urban developments into our ocean waters polluting the water and its ecosystem. With almost seven billion people living on earth, it is no wonder that litter is one of the top pollutants. Storm water falls, runs over the land, picks up trash and eventually deposits that trash in lakes, rivers and oceans, polluting our water source.
To try and reduce these types of problems, the federal Environmental Protection Agency regulates builders and requires them to take preventative stormwater control measures. For many builders, this is a serious issue and can cause problems when compliance is not met.
Case Study: The state efforts of Delaware to improve water quality in tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay were deemed "seriously deficient" by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Reports say that the problem arose when nutrient runoff from poultry and other livestock operations was found polluting the Chesapeake Bay. The state of Delaware proposes to reduce contamination by setting daily limits of nutrient and sediment runoff in order to decrease the levels of pollution and hopefully restore water quality. While federal assessments believe that the steps that are being taken do not go far enough , individuals involved in the planning believe that this is just the beginning of a multi-state effort to reduce pollution in the local rivers, creeks, streams and eco-system and will hopefully be the beginning of improved water quality nationwide.
On a more local level, builders who may be concerned with harmful runoff around their building sites can contact companies who specialize in inlet protection solutions. These companies will work with you to take preventative measures to reduce factors that may cause contamination in the event of heavy rain and flooding. They will also walk you through the process of applying for a permit, which says that as a contractor, you have a storm water pollution prevention plan detailing the precautionary measures you are taking to protect nearby water sources.
