Parking Lot Runoff
Earth Gauge Video is available for this tip.
Have you ever thought about where the rain water running off a large parking lot goes? Typically, this rain water runoff, which picks up motor oil and other pollutants, flows into storm drains that lead to our rivers, streams and lakes. One-inch of rain falling over a large parking lot yields about 27,000 gallons of runoff water. That’s enough for 1,000 people to shower!
Viewer Tip: Researchers at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are testing permeable parking lot materials that allow rain water to soak through to the ground instead of running off into storm drains. The soil is a natural water filter that helps remove pollutants to protect our water quality. You can help protect water quality at home, too. If you plan to replace a walkway, driveway, or patio in your yard, consider using permeable surfaces such as wood decks, spaced bricks or concrete lattice, instead of solid concrete or asphalt.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
(Sources: US EPA. Nonpoint Source Control Branch. “Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff.” http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/nps_urban-facts_final.pdf; NC State University, “Keeping it Clean Downstream.” http://www.ncsu.edu/research/results/vol9n2/03.html; U.S. EPA, “Experimental Stormwater Parking Lot at Edison Laboratory.” http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/stormwater/edison_parking_lot.htm)
