Water runoff is water overflowing in many areas. It is polluted water containing chemicals such as oil and pesticidesand bateria from our yard that goes into streams. Storm drains carry water runoff from our neighborhood to the ocean.

Some common pollutants in stormwater include nutrients from overused fertilizers or grass clippings left on the sidewalk, improperly applying pesticides and other debris such as from washing cars on driveways or oil spills.

Impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt prevents rainwater from saoking into the ground. Using gravel for driveways and brick or wood chips for walkways will allow water to soak into the ground. Porous pavement such as interlocking cement blocks or rubber mats will cause less runoff.

Another impervious surface is house roofs. Downspouts from roof gutters should empty into grassy areas. Roofs without gutters should have gravel, plant grass or mulch under the drip line.