Slow It Down!
Reducing Stormwater Runoff
By: Wilma J. Holley, FYN Program Educator, Pinellas County Extension
Why Reduce Runoff?
We often think that stormwater runoff goes down the drain and isn't our concern anymore. So why would we need to reduce runoff? Actually, runoff and the pollution it often carries can cause many problems. Laws have been enacted to deal with controlling runoff. The UF/IFAS Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program promotes nine principles for Florida-Friendly Landscaping, and the eighth is—you guessed it—"reduce stormwater runoff."
To understand why reducing stormwater runoff is so important, here are some definitions:
- Stormwater Runoff: Rainwater running off impervious (impermeable) surfaces or water-saturated landscapes, carrying sediments and pollution into storm drains or nearby water bodies.
- Point Source Pollution: Water pollution caused by easily identified sources, such as discharges from factories or sewage treatment plants.
- Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution: NPS pollution is not easily traced to an identifiable source or sources. Our activities in agriculture and horticulture can contribute to NPS, including our use of pesticides and fertilizer. Rainfall or excess irrigation can carry these sediments and dissolved chemicals into waterways.
Protect and Conserve
You might think that with water resources so limited, everyone would be interested in protecting them. Three-quarters of the Earth's surface is water, but 97% of that is salt water and 2% is tied up in polar ice caps. That leaves only 1% of the Earth's water available for our use. Clearly it's imperative to protect that water and prevent it becoming contaminated.
Since the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Water Act, most point sources of pollution have been regulated or eliminated. Huge gains have been made in restoring water quality in Florida and elsewhere in the U.S. However, NPS pollution is not as easy to regulate.
Do Your Part
How can we help eliminate as much nonpoint source pollution as possible? Reducing stormwater runoff is one way. Below are some Florida-Friendly tips for landscaping to reduce runoff:
- Direct downspouts onto mulched plant beds or lawns, so that water slowly seeps into the ground. Don't point your downspout at a driveway or other impermeable surface, which water will simply slide off.
- Wherever possible, use pervious surfaces for walkways and driveways. Pervious materials include mulch, stepping stones, gravel, porous concrete, and brick. These materials allow water to seep slowly into the ground, filtering out pollutants.
- Learn about rain harvesting techniques to eliminate runoff. Not only do rain barrels reduce runoff, they are a great additional source of landscape irrigation water. Many UF/IFAS Extension offices offer rain barrel workshops. Find your county Extension office.
