🌧️ What Is Stormwater?

Stormwater is excess rainwater or melted snow that flows over the ground. In natural areas, this water soaks into the soil. In cities, however, it often runs off rooftops, streets, and sidewalks—picking up pollutants along the way.

Stormwater is often considered a nuisance because it can mobilize pollutants such as motor oil, fertilizers, and trash.

⚠️ Why Is Stormwater a Problem?

Daily operations at industrial, commercial, and even residential properties can increase the amount of pollution carried by stormwater into storm drains.
Stormwater can carry:

• 🧪 Chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil)

• 🗑️ Trash and litter

• 🐶 Pet waste

• 🏗️ Sediment from construction sites

• 🚗 Metals and fluids from vehicles

Once this polluted runoff enters storm drains, it often flows directly into rivers, lakes, and oceans—with no treatment.

🚫 Common Sources of Stormwater Pollution

• Unauthorized connections to storm drains

• Washing cars on driveways (including mobile car wash services)

• Dumping waste into storm drains

• Improper disposal of household chemicals

• Leaking vehicles or machinery

• Construction without erosion controls

• Spills and leaks from industrial processes