Urban runoff

Definition

Urban runoff refers to the excess water that flows over the surface of urban areas, such as roads, parking lots, and rooftops, after rainfall or snowmelt. This runoff often carries pollutants like oil, chemicals, and debris into nearby bodies of water.

Related terms

Stormwater management: The practice of controlling and treating urban runoff to minimize its negative impacts on water quality and quantity.

Nonpoint source pollution: Pollution that comes from diffuse sources like urban runoff rather than from a single identifiable point.

Combined sewer system: A type of sewage system that collects both sanitary wastewater from homes and businesses as well as stormwater runoff in the same pipes.