Plants, trees and soil protect our waterways by absorbing runoff, filtering water and controlling erosion. Replacing them with buildings and roadways can lead to flooding and an excess of water pollution from stormwater runoff. Returning the landscape to its natural state can help control these problems. Soil composition and plants are studied to determine the best natural solution.

For our collective health, sewers need to be able to carry unsanitary waste away from houses, businesses, and other institutions and also drain water from our streets and sidewalks during rainstorms or when snow is melting to avoid flooding. When they both drain to the same underground system of pipes, this is called a Combined Sewer System.

Runoff from our streets, lawns and rooftops can end up in our waterways upsetting the ecosystem and harming plants and animals. Pollution that cannot be traced to its source is called non-point source.

In response to the catastrophic state of our waterways in the 1960’s, Congress established the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and passed the Clean Water Act in 1972.