So, what is stormwater, and why should we care? Type “stormwater definition” into Google and you’ll get lots of answers, but basically stormwater is runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops during rainfall (and snow) events and it often contains pollutants in quantities that could adversely affect water quality.
Here in the islands, we really need to care. That’s because we’re surrounded by marine waters, and that’s where the stormwater goes. Pollution from stormwater is, unfortunately, the common thread that links an array of problems along the coastline, including eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, dead zones, fish kills, shellfish poisonings, loss of seagrass and kelp beds, and even some marine mammal and seabird deaths.
Stormwater comes from all sorts of unprotected sites. One example is construction sites. Without proper safeguards on a site, runoff may include fine sediments, pollutants for heavy equipment and concrete. Runoff from uncured or partially cured concrete rivals the pH of bleach. Sediments speeding down a ditch in stormwater have a magnetic effect that picks up other containments. This entire “slurry” will reach a body of water, and everything here flows to the sea.
Another example is simply runoff from roads and parking areas. Oils, grease, metals and pesticides tend to build up on our streets, and wash away easily in the rain.
So what will happen if we don’t do a better job of controlling stormwater? Well, actually we’ve already lost a lot. Along the eastern shore of Puget sound from Olympia north to Everett, most shellfish are not safe to eat. And we’re seeing some startling effects close to home. For example, it’s been documented that the floor of Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island is nearly devoid of life. Pollution carried in stormwater is certainly part of the problem.
Though some work on the utility is being completed, the major work cannot yet be done because the funding mechanism for the Stormwater Utility has not yet been put in place. An initial effort to approve a tax levy to fund the utility failed in November 2007. A County Council Stormwater Subcommittee was formed in early 2008 and developed recommendations for funding the Utility. Public meetings on the funding options developed by the committee were held during the second week of October. The council will develop their final recommendations and bring them to the public in the near future.
Completion of a variety of projects by the County, including low impact development, is an important part of reducing the negative effects of stormwater. But these efforts are concentrated in our “urban” areas. We, as conscientious citizens, can reduce stormwater effects countywide through our efforts.
Construction sites can be some of the biggest contributors of stormwater, but with some pre-planning and the use of some relatively simple techniques, these effects can be greatly reduced. The County has provided a sheet of tips to help. Take a look at Tips on Managing Stormwater During Construction.
When planning property development, take a good inventory of the property. Do you have wetlands, a stream, critical wildlife habitat? Make your plans to minimize the impacts on these areas. Consider stormwater control early in your planning. You can both save money and reduce stormwater by avoiding sensitive areas and using low impact development techniques, from raingardens to pervious paving. See the article in this newsletter for more information.
We can protect our marine waters from toxic runoff through a combination of countywide efforts and conscientious efforts by landowners. It’s worth the effort.
