STORMWATER is water from rain, snow, sleet, hail, that flows across the ground and pavement or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call the storm drain system. These are the drains you see at street corners or the low points on the sides of streets.
The storm drain system in Salt Lake County consists of storm drain pipe, catch basins, detention/retention basins, irrigation canals, creeks, and the Jordan River.
Collectively, the draining water is called stormwater runoff and is a concern in all areas of Salt Lake County, including residential, commercial, industrial, and roadway areas in unincorporated and incorporated portions of Salt Lake County.
Stormwater that does not seep into the ground, drains into the storm drain system, which is a system of underground pipes and may travel for many miles before entering creeks, canals, the Jordan River, and ultimately the Great Salt Lake.
Storm drainage reaches the Jordan River via smaller creeks within the Salt Lake valley such as Mill Creek, Little Cottonwood Creek, Big Cottonwood Creek, Parley's Creek, Emigration Creek, Midas Creek, Rose Creek, Bingham Creek. Lakes are also part of the storm drain system including Decker Lake.
The storm drain system does NOT have a mechanism for treating the stormwater runoff. Anything poured into a gutter or drain, such as used motor oil or antifreeze, flows directly into the creeks and canals.
When it rains, oil, antifreeze, detergents, pesticides, yard clippings, dirt and other pollutants get washed from driveways, backyards, parking lots, and streets into storm drains and then directly to the Jordan River UNTREATED!
It is not reasonable to construct a treatment facility for stormwater because of the massive amount of water that passes through the system during a large storm event. Such a facility would be extremely costly to build and maintain, especially since it would sit idle a majority of the time.
The consequences of pollution in the creeks, canals, and lakes is reduced fisheries, habitat disruption, and restrictions on recreation such as boating and swimming. The following items specify everyday pollutants occurring at our homes, businesses, and construction sites.
Source: http://www.stormwatercoalition.org/html/ti/
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