Due to the large structural requirements of commercial and industrial sites, along with their associated parking areas, runoff from impervious surfaces generates most of the non-point source pollution from these land uses.
Sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, and other
pollutants accumulate on impervious surfaces and are washed into drainage
ways and storm sewers. From there, pollutants are carried into the Little
River and its tributaries.
More impervious surface areas mean that a higher percentage
of pollutants deposited on the surface will flow into streams. Without proper
storm water management, runoff water from impervious surfaces has little chance
to be filtered by vegetation and the soil before entering the water supply.
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Residential Areas
When rainwater falls on the ground around our homes, the residue of our household activities is washed into nearby streams. Almost 11% of the watershed is residential, and larger subdivisions have characteristics of commercial areas in that impervious surfaces help speed the flow of water and pollution into bodies of water.
Pollution typical of residential areas includes:
- nutrients from applying too much fertilizer and failing
septic systems
- pathogens from failing septic systems and pet waste
- sediment, usually during construction when land is bare
- toxics such as herbicides and pesticides used on lawns and gardens, gas, oil, and coolants from automotive leak
Commerical And Industrial Areas
Commercial and Industrial areas account for only 4% of land use in the Little River Watershed.
