When it rains in urban areas, stormwater flows over hard surfaces such as paved parking lots, rooftops and roadways. Instead of soaking into the ground naturally the stormwater picks up oils, grease, chemicals deposited by, pesticides, fertilizers and leaking cars, and even bacteria and viruses from pet waste.
Stormwater that enters into a storm drainage system is not treated at a  wastewater treatment facility. Instead it empties directly into creeks, rivers, wetlands and streams, depositing any pollution the runoff may have picked up along the way.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pollution found in stormwater runoff (also referred to as "nonpoint source pollution") is the biggest threat to the quality of the nation’s waterways. In response to the problem of stormwater runoff pollution, the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits cover stormwater runoff that empties from storm drainage systems in urban areas.
For Lexington County that means the County is administering a program to prevent and detect pollutants that enter and exit the storm drainage system. The County must track and monitor non-stormwater discharges into the drainage system, promote public education and involvement in stormwater management issues as well as adopting practices on County activities to minimize the impact on water quality.
To learn 'how you can help', click on our Homeowners Guide to Runoff Pollution Prevention
For more information about Lexington County’s Stormwater management program contact:
Synithia Williams
Environmental Coordinator
803-785-8634
swilliams@lex-co.com
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