ABOUT THE RIVER > STORMWATER RUNOFF

On sunny days, urban pollutants accumulate on rooftops, streets and parking lots. When it rains, water runs off these surfaces and into underground sewer systems that lead directly to the Anacostia. These systems, built throughout the 20th century and typical of urban infrastructure, are very effective in preventing flooding, but are disastrous for the river. Grit, grime and trash from the streets, oil, grease and heavy metals from cars, lawn fertilizers and pet excrement all end up in the Anacostia River. Because of stormwater runoff, hundreds of thousands of pounds of lead, zinc, and copper are washed into the Anacostia and eventually the Bay each year.

To learn more about stormwater runoff, go to the EPA's site about Polluted Runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution).

To learn more about how low impact development can prevent stormwater runoff, go to the National Resource Defense Council's website.