Stormwater runoff is generated from land surfaces and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops during rainfall and snow events. Unfortunately, this runoff can contain pollutants in quantities that adversely affect water quality.
Stormwater pollution is caused by the daily activities of people everywhere. Rainwater and snowmelt run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites and pick up fertilizers, dirt, pesticides, oil and grease, and many other pollutants on the way to our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Stormwater runoff is our most common cause of water pollution. Because stormwater pollution is caused by so many different activities, traditional regulatory controls will only go so far.