Stormwater Basics
How can rain cause pollution?
Many people assume that rainfall runoff goes from the storm drains into some type of waste treatment system. This is false!
In Oklahoma, stormwater runoff does not flow to pollution treatment systems at any time: instead it flows untreated to local streams, ponds, and lakes. Stormwater picks up pollutants such as oil, chemicals, and pet waste and takes it straight to the nearest waterbody.
How do stormwater pollutants harm aquatic life?
Stormwater pollutants can include bacteria, sediment, nutrients, metals, pesticides, and toxic chemicals. All of these are harmful to wildlife and may suffocate fish and benthic macroinvertebrates or stunt their growth. Many streams with high levels of urban stormwater pollution can only sustain pollution-tolerant species, while pollution-sensitive species die.
What do stormwater programs do?
Stormwater programs are regulated by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality through permits. These permits are needed if a city has a certain population and/or meets specific criteria for an urban area.
Stormwater permits regulate that these cities must implement and maintain certain “Best Management Practices” to reduce runoff, reduce stormwater pollution, and engage the public in those efforts. Stormwater programs allow cities to implement and enforce strategies to reduce stormwater pollution.
