In a study conducted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in 2007, it was found that rainwater collected in stormwater systems contains pollutants from contact with roads, roofs, etc. Despite the stormwater systems’ ability to help in the prevention of flooding, the contaminated water they contain are an environmental hazard, especially when the run-off for these systems empties out into nearby rivers, streams, and lakes. The study goes on to propose a small addition to the existing concept for stormwater systems to make it more environment-friendly.
The common answer to this problem is usually a chlorine treatment similar to that used to clean swimming pools. However, this form of chemical treatment is dangerous due to the chemical properties of chlorine (a toxic gas) and the potential hazardous effects of combining chlorine with water. This being the case, other storm water solutions like filtration have been proposed.
Filtering involves the separation of unwanted impurities from the water that will undergo purification. These filters vary in size. Some are used to separate debris and twigs, among other things, from water, while some remove impurities such as sediment and bacteria. The end result, after undergoing multiple stages of filtration, is clean water.
With clean water as the final product of stormwater solutions, the environmental risks are essentially reduced to zero. This eliminates the fear of having citizens coming into contact with contaminated water from stormwater system run-offs, as well as the problem of poisoning the environment.
Allowing runoff water from stormwater systems to undergo cleansing doesn’t just benefit the environment. This clean water can also be recycled as potable water, i.e., fit for human consumption. If all stormwater systems used stormwater solutions, this could solve the safe drinking water problems of the world.
With the general population now aware of the impact that we have on the environment and the limited natural resources, it is the perfect time to transition into an eco-friendly paradigm. Not only can an effective stormwater solution system from the likes of Hydrologic Solutions, Inc. reduce our negative impact on the environment, it also has the potential to replenish a very important resource.
