University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, 2005 Data Report. Dedicated to the Protection of Water Resources through Effective Stormwater Management

摘要

In 1998, Phase II of the Clean Water Act broke over U.S. towns and cities a bit like a storm. The purpose of the new regulations was to reduce the impact of nonpoint source pollution carried by stormwater runoff-the single greatest threat to water quality nationwide. Under Phase II, governments of communities under 100,000, as well as commercial enterprises, are required to develop stormwater programs to improve water quality and reduce the volume of runoff. To create the infrastructure for these programs, there is no lack of stormwater treatments from which to choose-from long, winding swales that sweep along roads and highways to manufactured systems that fit neatly in a manhole. The challenge that land use decision makers face is choosing an approach that will do the best job of protecting local water quality, is within their budgets, has a proven operations and maintenance record, and will meet regulatory requirements. The information needed to make these decisions is not readily available, particularly for emerging stormwater treatments. This inaugural report is a compilation of data from our first year of monitoring the effectiveness of stormwater treatment systems in addressing water quality and the volume of runoff. The authors hope that it will become a valued resource for those who must comply with Phase II rules.