urban runoff
Pavement water flow
Urban runoff is water from rain or melting snow that flows over paved surfaces in cities and towns rather than soaking into the ground.
As it travels across streets, parking lots, and rooftops, it picks up pollutants like oil, pesticides, fertilizers, and trash before draining into storm sewers and eventually reaching rivers, lakes, or oceans.
Unlike sewage, urban runoff typically receives no treatment, making it a significant source of water pollution in developed areas.
- impervious surfacesAreas blocking water infiltration
- stormwaterSurface flow from precipitation
- water pollutionHarmful substances in H2O
- first flushEarliest surge or onset
- eutrophicationExcess nutrients depleting oxygen
catch basins · watershed · pesticides · fertilizers · sedimentation · pollutants · flooding · rain gardens · vehicle emissions · puddles · sewers · wetland · construction sites · curbs · curb cuts · parking lots · contamination · culverts