Deadly Stormwater Runoff

Deadly Stormwater Runoff

Many of us never think about where all the rainwater runoff from our rooftops, driveways, streets and highways escapes to. But perhaps it’s time we do. Each time it rains gallons upon gallons of toxic runoff finds its way into our lakes and rivers - threatening the environment, wildlife, and ultimately us. Research in the Pacific Northwest has shown that rain runoff from some of the busiest highways is deadly to coho salmon and other fish species. For this very reason groups of people across the country have partnered together to create rain gardens, which are designed to capture runoff from roofs and roadways using plants or natural elements to slow and filter rain water runoff; thus allowing pollutants to be filtered out and devoured by organisms in the soil. In Washington state WSU and Stewardship Partners are leading a campaign to install twelve thousand rain gardens in the Seattle/Puget Sound Region by 2016. The vast majority of rain gardens already in place are a success, and proof positive of how green infrastructure can be beautiful and hard working at the same time.
 
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