City runoff - down the drain larger image [JPEG, 186.2 kb, 1000 X 694, notice]

The solution - capturing rainfall where it falls

Experts agree that capturing rain where it falls is an important solution to urban runoff. No runoff, no problem. Yards need to act like sponges, absorbing and storing rainwater. Lawns with a thick underlying soil of at least 12 inches work well. So do gravel yards. Later, the roots of the plants and grasses absorb this stored water and return it to the atmosphere.

Urban myth!

Many believe that street drains flow to wastewater treatment plants. This is not true. Most street drains flow through pipes directly into streams or lakes. These waters can carry urban pollution from streets, driveways, parking lots, and backyards. So be careful!