Background
What is stormwater?
Rain, snow, sleet or ice melt flowing over land (stormwater) will pick up debris and pollutants along the way. Stormwater flows into a system of pipes, ditches and other stormwater infrastructure that empty directly into our streams and lakes. Stormwater is not treated at a treatment plant, so it is important to maintain land uses in a manner to minimize the opportunity for stormwater to pick up debris and pollutants as it flows through our watersheds.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is any area of land where water flows downhill from high points to low points. The low points are creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers. We all live in a watershed, and what happens on land is directly connected to water quality and severity of flooding. Find what watershed you live in.
- The Relationship between Stormwater and Watersheds
Water flowing over the surface of the land is a part of the natural water cycle. In a natural setting without human interference the water tends to soak into the soil. In the Midwest, soil quality is typically very good and has open spaces for the water to infiltrate into the ground. This process is shown in the figure below.
However, in developed areas with houses and businesses, the soil is often covered with sidewalks, roads, buildings, or other materials that do not allow water to infiltrate into the ground. These hard, impervious surfaces change how water interacts with the land and causes there to be more water flowing over it straight into our waterways. This can lead to flooding, increased pollution in our water, and land erosion. Compared to the picture above, less water is able to soak into the ground and more water is flowing over the surface.
- Environmental Concerns Related to Stormwater
Polluted water enters lakes and rivers in two ways: point and non-point sources. Point sources are easy to identify because it comes from a pipe and can be traced back to the land use from which the pollution originated. Special permits issued under The Clean Water Act has been successful in reducing pollution from point sources. Non-point sources, or collective pollution is harder to control because pollution originates from many different sources and land uses.
Classic examples of non-point sources include water coming from parking lots and water flowing over fertilized lawns. Non-point sources, including stormwater, are significant contributors to water pollution and are difficult to regulate. However, through individual actions pollution can be greatly reduced. Here are some of the environmental concerns connected to stormwater:
- Roads and Parking Lots - Stormwater flowing over parking lots and roads can pick up antifreeze, gasoline, and oil that drips from cars, as well as heavy metals such as copper, chromium, lead and zinc.
- High Salt Concentrations - Road salt used to melt snow washes directly into our water systems which increases salt concentrations in our waterways; and many aquatic animals and plants are sensitive to these salt concentrations.
- High Nutrient Pollution - With increased amounts of nutrients from lawn fertilizer, pet waste and phosphorus-based soaps dumped into the water, algae thrives and increases in population creating a "bloom" that eventually dies off. Dead algae is decomposed by bacteria and this leads to decreased amounts of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water. Low DO can lead to fish kills and some algae can even produce toxins that are harmful to humans and wildlife.
- Thermal Pollution - Water running off pavement and roads can be very hot. A change in the temperature of the water can change the suitability for certain aquatic animals and plants to survive and reduce oxygen availability.
- Sedimentation - Water flowing over construction sites and picking up sand and grit from roadways can pollute the water in creeks, rivers, and lakes. Sediment can settle in neighborhood ponds, leading to infrastructure damage and expensive maintenance costs. Sediment is the most prevalent pollutant in Indiana waterways.
- Habitat Destruction - When a large amount of water surges into creeks and other waterways, it can be very destructive. Stormwater can also carry invasive species to water bodies.
- Common pollutants and their sources are listed below.
- Sediment - Construction sites, bare spots in lawns and gardens, waste water from washing cars and trucks on driveways or in parking lots, and eroding stream banks.
- Nutrients - Overused or spilled fertilizers, especially on lawns; pet waste; and grass clippings and leaves left on the streets and sidewalks.
- Disease Organisms - Animal waste, garbage, and improperly treated sewage.
- Hydrocarbons - Car and truck exhaust, leaks and spills of oil and gas, and burning leaves and garbage.
- Pesticides - Pesticides over-applied, pesticides applied before a rainstorm and spills and leaks.
- Metals - Cars and trucks and galvanized metal gutters and downspouts.
Source: Clemson Extension, "South Carolina Home - A - Syst. An Environmental Risk - Assessment Guide for Protecting Water Quality"
- What can I do to protect our stormwater system?
Some easy things you can do to protect our watersheds include:
- Pick up after your pets: Picking up after your pets helps prevent their waste from entering our waterways and adding harmful pollutants.
- Read the Label - Use Lawn and Garden Fertilizer Wisely: Before fertilizing lawns, consider obtaining a soil test first. Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District offers soil testing services and the results will aid in determining fertilizer needs. When fertilizers are applied, make sure directions are followed for the product used. Over-application and sloppy application leads to fertilizer washing from lawns, sidewalks, and streets into storm drains.
- Septic System Maintenance: Just like any other tool or appliance, a septic system needs to be maintained to function properly. Pumping of the tank every 3 years removes accumulated solids, allows for inspection and gives the septic field a rest.
- Rake or mulch your leaves: Letting leaves stay in the street leads to clogged storm drains and potentially leads to flooding.
- Get involved: Monroe County's SWEET (Stormwater Environmental Education Team) helps promote and facilitate environmental stewardship events/projects/programs such as but not necessarily limited to: Adopt A Stream, Adopt A Road, environmental education classroom presentations, Hoosier Riverwatch, Lake Monroe clean up events, Weed Wrangle and stream clean up events. SWEET meeting minutes are available here.
- Report problems: You can report any stormwater problems here or email us at storm@monroe.co.in.us
Conclusion
It is up to the entire community to ensure we live in a healthy environment with safe water. If you have any questions or concerns about stormwater, please contact us at storm@co.monroe.in.us or 812-349-2565.
- What is stormwater and why is it a concern?
As stormwater flows over impervious surfaces such as roads and parking lots, it often collects debris, chemicals, sediment and other pollutants before it flows to streams, lakes and other water bodies. In addition, excess runoff can contribute to more severe flooding events and cause erosion of valuable land.
- Have unmarked storm drains in your neighborhood?
Contact us at 812-349-2960 or storm@co.monroe.in.us
Click on the storm drain picture to learn why it is important to mark and protect storm drains.
- Stormwater Resources for Homeowners
If you would like to report an issue with a stormwater detention facility (detention pond/basin, swale, ditch, curb inlet, etc.), you may call our office at 812-349-2565 or submit an online report, anonymity allowed. Click here to submit a report.
View the stormwater infrastructure near you: BMP Inventory Map
Click on the video links below to learn more about stormwater!
- Fall and Winter Workshop Resource Guide
- Fall and Winter Workshop Recording_11-14-2024
- Macroinvertebrate Identification Handout - Macroinvertebrate Identification Handout
- Macroinvertebrate Identification Handout - Macroinvertebrate Identification Handout
- Water Quality Monitoring
Stormwater Education - Teachers
Stormwater Education and Materials for Teachers
In order for Monroe County to comply with Rule 13, a certain amount of public education and outreach must be fulfilled, and there is no one better than our community's teachers to facilitate this requirement. There are many ways to incorporate storm water education into a variety of classroom subjects and since stormwater quality affects everyone, it is easy for students to relate to the subject.
The following is a description of state-funded programs designed to provide teachers with hands on knowledge of storm water, and the curriculum materials needed to pass that knowledge on to students.
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)
Project WET provides teacher training workshops that last 6 hours, and are designed to:
- Provide hands on experience in the use of the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide;
- Explore a range of activities that can be infused into science, math, language arts, social studies, reading, art, and music curricula in grades K-12;
- Supply information about Indiana's water resources and water quality management issues;
- Link teachers with water resource agencies and conservation programs.
Workshops cost $15 per person in order to cover the cost of the Curriculum Guide, which contains storm water quality lessons for grades K-12. (*all previous info was taken directly from Project WET brochure)
For more information visit the Project WET website.
Hoosier Riverwatch
Training Workshops: Hoosier Riverwatch offers introductory and advanced stream monitoring training at various locations throughout Indiana. These workshops are usually free and open to any adult interested in water quality.
Water Monitoring Equipment Grants: Since 1996, Hoosier Riverwatch has awarded 225 grants to volunteer groups throughout Indiana. Each grant provides up to $500 of water monitoring equipment. In return, grant recipients agree to monitor their selected stream or river segments at least four times a year for two years. Volunteers also attend one or more training workshops. Any school or community organization in Indiana is eligible to apply. The grant application deadline is in the spring with distribution of equipment in the summer.
For more information please visit the Hoosier Riverwatch website and click on "Hoosier Riverwatch Workshops"
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