Stormwater Concepts For Teachers

Stormwater pollution and prevention can be linked to a variety of Grade Span Expectation Standards, including: science, mathematics, civics, government and stewardship, and written and oral communication skills. Although it is not comprehensive, we have addressed fundamental stormwater concepts below, in an overview that could be linked to those Grade Span Expectation Standards for teachers planning a stormwater education program in their classroom.

There are also many groups across Rhode Island who are currently providing stormwater education and outreach to school children and communities as part of their programming options. We offer a List of Stormwater Education Programs that might be useful as you plan your own stormwater curriculum.

Eco Exploration Mural

The Water Cycle (Science)

  • The water that we use today may have fallen as rain last week, but they are the same water molecules that the dinosaurs drank! Water re-circulates through a process called the water cycle: evaporation and transpiration; condensation; precipitation; collection; infiltration.

  • Groundwater and surface water are connected as one system.

  • Water is important to all living things.

What Is Stormwater? (Science, Mathematics)

  • Stormwater: Water that results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt; surface water from rain or snowmelt that does not seep into the ground.

  • Stormwater runoff: Rainwater and snowmelt that runs off the land (usually paved or compacted surfaces) and often flows into storm drains, ditches, streams and waterways.

Stormwater Impacts On The Water Cycle (Science, Mathematics, Civics/Government/Stewardship)

  • Stormwater runoff is not natural. When it rains in a forest or field, some of that rain evaporates and much of it is absorbed into the ground where it is used by plants or replenishes groundwater.

  • In developed places with houses and roads, rain falls on pavement and other impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, sidewalks and parking lots that don’t allow the water to be absorbed by the ground. The water that you see flowing down the street is called stormwater runoff.

  • Optional for older kids: Address hydrologic impacts of increased flooding, reduced recharge to groundwater and stream base flow, and loss of natural pollutant removal processes in soil.

How Does Stormwater Become Polluted? (Science, Mathematics, Civics/Government/Stewardship)

  • When stormwater hits the pavement, it picks up and mixes with what’s there. That might include: oil, grease and fuel from cars and other engines; fertilizer and pesticides used on lawns, gardens and in the home; bacteria from pet waste, horses, waterfowl and other animals; bacteria and nutrients from improperly maintained septic systems; sediment eroded from construction sites and farm fields; road sand and salt; soap from car washing; grass clippings and leaves; trash.

  • Optional – Older kids could address types of pollutants found in these sources: nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus); pathogens – bacteria and viruses; sediment; organic materials – biological oxygen demand; toxins; trash; temperature -thermal stress.

How Storm Drains Work (Science, Mathematics, Civics/Government/Stewardship)

  • Stormwater picks up and mixes with whatever pollutants are on the pavement. Storm drains rush all this polluted water directly to the nearest stream, pond or bay without treatment. So the pollutants end up in the water we drink, fish and swim in.

  • Storm drains are not the same as sanitary sewers or combined sewers.

How Stormwater And Its Pollution Affects Us All (Science, Mathematics, Civics/Government/Stewardship)

  • Algae blooms,
  • Fish and clam kills,
  • Beach closures,
  • Swimming areas polluted,
  • Drinking water polluted, and
  • Flooding.

What We Can All Do (Science, Mathematics, Civics/Government/Stewardship; Oral/Written Communication)

Yard Care

  • Never dump, wash, or rake anything into the path of a storm drain.
  • Sweep spilled fertilizers, grass clippings, and soil off sidewalks and driveways and back onto the lawn. Sweep, don’t hose, the driveway.
  • Water wisely: the lawn is usually happy with 1 inch per week, and that includes rainwater!
  • Divert rooftop runoff to a rain barrel or onto the lawn rather than a driveway.

    Collected water can even be used for watering plants.
  • Reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides that you apply to your lawn. You’ll save money, too!

Home Care

  • Never put hazardous household wastes (paint, oven cleaners, etc.) down storm drains, indoor drains, or the trash. Call the Eco Depot at 942-1430 x 241.
  • If you have a septic system, have it inspected every year, and have it pumped at least every three to five years.

Auto Care

  • If you change your own motor oil, recycle the used oil.
  • Wash your vehicle at a designated car wash or on grass—not in the driveway.

Pet Care

  • Scoop your dog’s poop. Then throw it in the trash.
  • Don’t feed waterfowl.

The following recommendations can be used as a rule- of- thumb:

  • Keep as much water as possible off of paved surfaces.
  • Keep the water that does run off, as clean as possible.