Debris in stormwater drains is a serious problem, for flood prevention and for the water quality. Why? When a stormwater drain gets clogged with debris, rainwater that normally would be collected by that collection drain cannot enter into the drainage system, and water will pond around the drain, causing traffic problems/hazards, flooded sidewalks and form a potential danger for flooding buildings like houses and garages.
When the debris is not clogging the drainage system, it will be carried by the stormwater runoff directly into a lake or canal. Once there, debris can form all kinds of hazards for aquatic plants and wildlife. Birds and fish can get intoxicated or poisoned from eating cigarette butts. Mineral oils and coolant from cars will pollute the water and kill fish, frogs and other aquatic species, but can also harm the wildlife that eats those species. Sediments can cover submerged vegetation (plants that live in the water) which can kill the plants, and leave less food for organisms. The dead organic material might also attract bacteria and can cause potential algae blooms, which consume the oxygen in the water -- and organisms like fish will die when oxygen levels fall too far. Fine particles that don't settle out can get stuck in the ventricles of fish, which also might cause fish kills. Debris in the water can also decrease the amount of sunlight that enters the water, which results in death of plants, algae blooms, and lack of oxygen in the water.
And of course there are lots and lots of nutrients attached to soil, which will cause all kinds of problems in the receiving lake or canal, and ultimately our coastal waters and the Everglades -- and the plants and animals that live there.
Yesterday & Today
Everglades the Problems
