Stormwater Public Education, Outreach and Involvement
Why be concerned about Stormwater?
Why be concerned about Stormwater? Stormwater runoff can have a number of impacts. As development and imperviousness increase in an area, the natural capacity of the soil and vegetation to infiltrate and take up rainfall decreases, and more rainfall becomes stormwater runoff. This can produce negative impacts by causing erosion of land areas and stream banks, by causing or increasing flooding and also by carrying pollutants to surface waters. As Willoughby grows, development increases. When more houses, roads and businesses are constructed, water has nowhere to go and can cause serious drainage, pollutant, and sanitation problems. The following diagram demonstrates how development can cause:
- Increased Imperviousness
- Increased Runoff
- Increased Pollutants
- Impact to Streambanks
- Erosion/Sedimentation


Pollutants Commonly Found in Stormwater Runoff and Their Impacts
The Table below summarizes common stormwater pollutants and also provides information on potential sources of these pollutants and types of impacts they may cause.
Sediment |
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Nutrients |
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Organic Matter |
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Bacteria |
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Oil and Grease |
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Toxic Substances |
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Heavy Metals |
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Temperature |
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How Stormwater Is Carried
Stormwater runoff may be carried through natural or manmade drainage ways or conveyance systems. In some cases stormwater runoff leaves a site spread out over a large dispersed area as “sheet flow.” It may also be conveyed through natural ditches, swales and natural drainage features. In most developing and urbanizing areas, stormwater is conveyed through a system of catch basins and pipes commonly referred to as a storm sewer system.