The most recent National Water Quality Inventory reports that runoff from urban areas is the leading source of impairments to surveyed estuaries and the third largest source of water quality impairments to surveyed lakes . In addition , population and development trends indicate that by 2010 more than half of the Nation will live in coastal towns and cities . Runoff from these rapidly growing urban areas will continue to degrade coastal waters .
To protect surface water and ground water quality , urban development and household activities must be guided by plans that limit runoff and reduce pollutant loadings .
– The United States Environmental Protection Agency
The health and economical impacts .
Stormwater pollution can have a dramatic impact on almost any part of our lives . Filtering out additional pollutants and contaminants increases treatment costs for municipalities , so we all pay higher water bills or our water is not as clean . When reservoirs fill up with sediment , reservoir capacity is reduced because they are full of silt , not water . Polluted runoff of excess nutrients ( fertilizers ) can cause algae blooms and fish kills that can wipe out entire local populations . Many times , during heavy rains , ( bacteria ) pollutants will reach such high levels , that conditions become unsafe for swimming and even recreational use . When beaches close or fishing is restricted due to water pollution , recreation is impossible and nearby towns and businesses lose money . Many shellfish waters have been closed because the shellfish are unsafe to eat , causing some people to lose their jobs and higher prices for seafood .
Surface Water Migration – Undeveloped versus Developed Land
5.5 times more runoff than natural ground cover
25 % deep infiltration
5 % deep infiltration
Natural Ground Cover 75 % -100 % Impervious Cover