STORMWATER Spring and summer showers always seem to result in standing water problems and excess stormwater runoff.  Runoff is a major water quality issue; stripping vital nutrients and soil from our carefully manicured lawns and the puddles are the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.  Once our soil is saturated with rainwater it acts like an impervious surface and prevents infiltration.  Roads, driveways, sidewalks and parking lots are the most obvious impervious surfaces.  Roofs, swimming pools and patios are less obvious, but just as impervious as asphalt.  Every new development alters the natural drainage pattern and the volume of runoff water is concentrated and accelerates as it passes through the newly created watercourse.  That means increased erosion, gully formation and excess deposition of silt, pollutants and debris throughout the drainage system.  Pollutants?  Why does this subject keep sneaking into these articles?  Stormwater picks up oil, metal particles, litter, animal wastes, fertilizers, and pesticides as it washes across the landscape.  Construction sites generally result in a lot of bare soil, which can be at risk to erosion if certain management practices are omitted. (Ever seen a silt-fence properly maintained throughout a construction project?)  Changes in the environment start locally and manifest themselves with a reduction in water quality, habitat loss, flooding, sediment build-up and loss of biodiversity.   Unfortunately, the final receiving waters suffer the consequence of slowly concentrating pollutants and sediment.  Our harbors fill in with silt; we dredge and relocate the material, further stressing the marine and riverfront ecosystems. Many states have taken the strategy of using constructed wetlands in the headwaters region of streams and rivers.  This captures the transient volume of stormwater in the upper reaches and provides for a slower release of each storm event.  The downstream conditions are improved by the reduction in stream and river velocity and that reduces the amount of sediment that can be transported.  Infiltration basins and vegetated buffer zones also reduce the water’s speed over land.  And, these buffers provide additional habitat for amphibious and other water-dependent species.  Drainage swales are also extremely important in the management of stormwater.  Keeping them open, free of litter and yard wastes is very important.   (Use the transfer station!)   Finally, how can we influence architects, designers and engineers to start using some of these new methods of stormwater management?  Attend a few municipal meetings, ask questions and try getting involved.  New parking lots; asphalt, raised islands and traditional storm-drains leading to… Have you ever considered a “green” roof? Steve Luckett WPCA Coordinator