Storm Water Essay
What is Stormwater Pollution?
When it rains, water flows from your roof, yard, and street into the gutter and down the drain. The stormwater drain carries this water into Lake Macquarie, wetlands, lagoons and the ocean along with all the sediment, rubbish, grass clippings, pet faeces, chemicals and fertiliser it collects along the way. The result is stormwater pollution.
Last Modified: 20-AUG-2009
What impact is stormwater pollution having on Lake Macquarie?
Volumes of stormwater in urban areas have increased up to 40 times above natural levels due to the increased area of impervious surfaces such as rooves, roads, and driveways. The increase in volume causes our creeks to rise higher and flow faster, eroding the banks and bed of the creek carrying increased sediment and nutrients into the Lake. It is estimated 57,000 tonnes of sediment is washed into the Lake each year, nine times more than when the Lake was surrounded by bushland.We all live in a water catchment and our every-day activities affect the quality of the Lake and ocean. When many people carry out the same activity, the cumulative effect can be great. For example, the 45,000 pet dogs in Lake Macquarie create about 9 tonnes of faeces every day. The impacts of stormwater runoff may include the loss of recreational amenity, the destruction of seagrass beds and aquatic habitat, and the growth of algal blooms.
Last Modified: 20-AUG-2009
What is the Lake Macquarie Stormwater Management Plan?
The Lake Macquarie Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) was prepared in 1999 in response to a directive issued to all NSW Councils by the Environment Protection Authority. The SMP provides a framework for improved stormwater management and establishes opportunities to promote cooperative action by Council, stormwater managers and the community. It outlines planning and strategy measures such as requiring new developments to reduce the flow of stormwater off their sites. It sets out specific works that are
When it rains, water flows from your roof, yard, and street into the gutter and down the drain. The stormwater drain carries this water into Lake Macquarie, wetlands, lagoons and the ocean along with all the sediment, rubbish, grass clippings, pet faeces, chemicals and fertiliser it collects along the way. The result is stormwater pollution.
Last Modified: 20-AUG-2009
What impact is stormwater pollution having on Lake Macquarie?
Volumes of stormwater in urban areas have increased up to 40 times above natural levels due to the increased area of impervious surfaces such as rooves, roads, and driveways. The increase in volume causes our creeks to rise higher and flow faster, eroding the banks and bed of the creek carrying increased sediment and nutrients into the Lake. It is estimated 57,000 tonnes of sediment is washed into the Lake each year, nine times more than when the Lake was surrounded by bushland.We all live in a water catchment and our every-day activities affect the quality of the Lake and ocean. When many people carry out the same activity, the cumulative effect can be great. For example, the 45,000 pet dogs in Lake Macquarie create about 9 tonnes of faeces every day. The impacts of stormwater runoff may include the loss of recreational amenity, the destruction of seagrass beds and aquatic habitat, and the growth of algal blooms.
Last Modified: 20-AUG-2009
What is the Lake Macquarie Stormwater Management Plan?
The Lake Macquarie Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) was prepared in 1999 in response to a directive issued to all NSW Councils by the Environment Protection Authority. The SMP provides a framework for improved stormwater management and establishes opportunities to promote cooperative action by Council, stormwater managers and the community. It outlines planning and strategy measures such as requiring new developments to reduce the flow of stormwater off their sites. It sets out specific works that are