By Teresa Dahl
Leading a “green” existence is not hard to do. In fact, we can make a difference by just being more informed and aware of the effects of our actions. Did you know, for instance, that stormwater that is improperly managed is a major source of water pollution?
When it rains in populated areas, most of the time the water has nowhere to go. Often, human activities in urban and rural areas alike cover the area in impervious surfaces — packed dirt, concrete, asphalt, or roofs — that don’t absorb much of anything.
The stormwater then turns to runoff, flowing across streets or gutters and eventually into a storm drain, or across fields into irrigation systems. But along the way, the water picks up a lot of chemicals and contaminants — like phosphorus (from fertilizers), heavy metals and pesticides. Eventually this water ends up in lakes, rivers, oceans or reservoirs, where it can be harmful to both wildlife and humans. In fact, in areas along the coast, polluted runoff is the number one contributor of water pollution.
But why is it so important to keep these dangerous pollutants and chemicals out of major bodies of water? Firstly, it will keep the plants and organisms healthy. Clean water is probably the single most important factor in keeping an ecosystem vibrant and healthy.
Polluted water is also dangerous for human populations. It’s estimated that polluted water is currently the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and accounts for over 14,000 deaths each day. In America, it is estimated that 32-47 percent of our bodies of water are contaminated. With so many costs to both ourselves and the environment, we can’t afford to ignore the dangers of polluted runoff.
This is why it is so important for individuals and communities to have a plan for dealing with runoff water. Luckily, there are small and simple changes that can make a big difference. There are some great stormwater filtration systems that make the process a no-brainer. A simple sand filter can greatly improve the quality of runoff water and decrease levels of contaminants.
A water filtration system is often installed at the mouth storm drains or other draining systems. Usually they have two chambers. The first is a settling chamber, where the water is separate from silt, trash or other debris. After settling, the water enters the filtration chamber, which usually utilizes vegetated filter strips, sand filters, or bioretention to remove pollutants, or a combination of these. Most harmful pollutants and contaminants are filtered out of the water.
A stormwater filtration system is an easy way to make sure that our water resources stay clean. You can help by reducing the amount of harmful products you use outside, whether it’s on your lawn, roof, driveway, or in your garden. Check out what kind of filtration systems you have in your community. Contact your representatives and suggest that they install a stormwater filtration system. See what local businesses are doing to cut down on pollutants and ensure that they are keeping the environment green and clean.
