Stormwater Runoff in the United States

Stormwater Runoff in Environmental Law

The flow of precipitation over land until it reaches water. The Clean Water Act was originally designed to control point source discharges or those that came from a pipe or other conduit. Stormwater has not been controlled until recently.

In cities, storm water picks up oil and grease from streets, then washes them into storm sewers. At an industrial complex, water could pick up chemicals and wastes, carrying them to a stream or a sewer. In either case, untreated water is discharged. So in 1987, Congress amended the Clean Water Act and established a permitting program for storm water discharges. Large cities, most industrial facilities, and large construction projects (involving disturbance of five acres) are subject to storm water permitting.

The essence of stormwater control is management of the runoff through various techniques, including channeling and water treatment. Also, storage areas may have to be redesigned so the water does not come in contact with pollutants.
Based on “Environment and the Law. A Dictionary”.