How does impervious area affect water quality?

Water that soaks into the soil is naturally filtered and cleaned. Water flowing on the surface of developed property picks up pollutants such as:

  • Bacteria from properties where animals are kept
  • Fertilizer from lawn runoff
  • Sediment, oil, and salts from roads and parking areas

Effects of Poor Water Quality

The effect of one property on the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff may seem insignificant. However, the cumulative impact from hundreds of thousands of properties across the state can negatively affect our water quality.

And keep in mind; much stormwater runoff, after it enters lakes, streams, and reservoirs, or soaks into the ground, eventually becomes drinking water for downstream communities. This is one reason protecting water quality is so critical in the City of Shelbyville.

Show All Answers

1. What is stormwater and where does it come from?
2. Why must the City of Shelbyville manage stormwater quality?
3. How does impervious area affect water quality?
4. How does impervious area affect water quantity?
5. Do you need additional information?