Urban runoff

Have you ever noticed how when it rains, the water that falls on the street doesn't just disappear? It stays there and creates puddles! Well, that water can actually be a problem for the environment if it's not taken care of properly.

This type of water is what we call "urban runoff" and it happens when rainwater or snowmelt flows over the surfaces of cities, streets, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces. The water picks up all sorts of things along the way like trash and pollutants such as oil from cars, pesticides from lawns, and even animal waste.

When this "dirty" water isn't treated, it can flow into our rivers, lakes, and oceans, and harm the plants and animals that live in them. In fact, urban runoff is one of the major causes of water pollution in the United States!

But don't worry, there are things we can do to help prevent this problem! For example, we can plant more trees and other vegetation that can absorb the rainwater, and we can build special "rain gardens" that trap and filter the water before it flows into the river or ocean. We can also make sure to dispose of trash properly and avoid using harmful chemicals in our yards.

By taking care of our environment, we can make sure that the water stays clean and healthy for all the plants and animals that live in it!