Water Quality Teacher Resources

In undeveloped areas, precipitation typically soaks into the ground. When buildings, parking lots, roads and other hard surfaces are added to the landscape, the ground cannot absorb the water. Water from rain or snow storms, known as stormwater, instead flows over streets, parking lots and roofs and into a water body or storm drain.
Stormwater runoff is often worsened by human activities, and can contain nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants from fertilizers, pet and yard waste. Because stormwater flows over hard surfaces directly into a water body or storm drain, there is no opportunity for soil and plants or a water treatment facility to filter out pollutants. Urban and suburban areas produce much more stormwater runoff due to the high amount of paved and hard surfaces.
About Friends of County Parks

The Friends of the County Parks, established in 1988, is a group of concerned citizens joining together to promote financial and community support to the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department. They develop public awareness of recreation as an important part of day-to-day life.

Funds provided by The Friends of the County Parks are used as a supplement to the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department budget and does not replace allocated tax dollars. These additional funds helps maintain, improve, and enhance services provided by the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. The Friends of the County Parks enjoys a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit exemption status.
Stormwater Stormwater pollution water Urban Stormwater pollution student Source water Quality
About Friends of County Parks

Stormwater Stormwater pollution water Urban Stormwater pollution student Source water Quality
 
 
Teacher Resources for Introducing  
Urban Stormwater Quality Concepts  
to the Classroom 
 
Including Example Lesson Plans meeting  
Colorado Standards for Science, Geography and Civics 
 
 
 
 
Source: USFWS 
 
 
Driven by new regulations, scientific studies, and public interest in preserving our urban 
waterways, the study of urban stormwater pollution and its solutions has become increasingly 
important. Beyond increasing awareness and promoting citizen behaviors that improve the quality 
of urban waters, stormwater quality is now an important part of the overall study of our 
environment and related fields.  Scientists who study the impacts of nutrients on ecosystems, city 
managers who create and manage programs to control erosion at construction sites, engineers who 
design constructed wetlands to reduce pollution from new housing developments, small business 
owners who must get permits for stormwater discharges, and even firefighters responding to 
material spills, all need to have knowledge of stormwater runoff issues, and be able to apply that 
knowledge in their jobs.    
The enclosed materials are intended to introduce teachers to some of the concepts of urban 
stormwater pollution, and provide resources to be used in the classroom as part of a school's current 
curriculum.
 
 
Questions or Comments:  Contact Colorado's Stormwater Program: cdphe.wqstorm@state.co.us or 303-692-3517 
 
Index 
8/2004 
 
I. 
Teacher Information Resource Sheet
Background information, facts, and definitions for the teacher 
I.1 
 
 
 
II. 
Lesson Plans 
 
 
 
Introduction (For all Lessons). 
II.1 
 
 
Activity 1, Modeling a Watershed... 
II.2 
 
 
 
Erosion, Pollution and Prevention 
 
 
 
 
(Grades 6-12) 
 
 
 
 
A visual, hands-on model building exercise to experiment with the 
effects of runoff while learning the science and geography of 
stormwater pollution. 
 
 
 
 
Colorado Standards: 
     Science 1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3, 5, 6 
     Geography 1.3, 2.1, 3.1, 4.4, 5.1, 5.3, 6.2 
 
 
 
Activity 2, Where Does My Waste Flow?
II.4 
 
 
 
Getting the Word Out! 
 
 
 
 
(Grades 6-12) 
 
 
 
 
Protect the quality of your water through field observations, problem 
identification, and community education (as a solution) on storm 
drain use, abuse and management. 
 
 
 
 
Colorado Standards: 
     Science 3.1, 3.2, 4.3 
 
 
 
Activity 3, Stormwater Pollution. 
II.6 
 
 
 
Its Physical, Chemical and Biological Impacts 
 
 
 
 
(Grades 9-12) 
 
 
 
 
Integrate field sampling with biology, chemistry and physics in an 
assessment of water quality at a local water body. 
 
 
 
 
Colorado Standards: 
     Science 1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2, 4.3, 6 
 
 
 
Activity 4, Stormwater Pollution. 
II.8 
 
 
 
Integrating Science and Civics 
 
 
 
 
(Grades 9-12) 
 
 
 
 
An opportunity to develop student problem-solving skills, teamwork 
and perspective by examining how stormwater pollution affects 
different members of our society.  
 
 
 
 
Colorado Standards: 
     Science 1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5, 6 
     Civics 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.4, 4.4 
 
 
 
 
III.   Individual Action Checklist:  What can I do? 
A list of things you can do in your yard and garden, during auto and household 
maintenance, and around your neighborhood to help solve the problem! 
III.1 
 
 
 
IV.   Internet Resources...
Links to additional educational materials and information sources of government 
agencies, non-profit organizations and private companies. 
IV.1 
 
 
 
V. 
Glossary V.1 
I.1 
Teacher Information Resource Sheet 
 
1. Why is Urban Stormwater Such a Big Issue? 
 Urban stormwater pollution is pollution that runs off urban landscapes and into storm drains 
as a result of rainfall and snowmelt events.  Stormwater pollution differs from more 
conventional pollution sources that are discharged from a discrete source (such as a 
treatment plant or factory) and are more easily identified for control measures.  Although 
not actually composed of stormwater runoff, other sources of urban pollution from diffuse 
sources, such as dumping of used oil into stormwater drains or waterways, are often 
included in urban stormwater education and control programs. 
 
In Colorado, nearly all stormwater pollution runs directly into surface waters, including 
lakes and streams, without any treatment.  This runoff causes harmful effects on drinking 
water supplies, recreation, fisheries and wildlife.  
 Contaminated stormwater runoff is arguably the primary cause of water pollution 
throughout the United States today.  Stormwater runoff from urban areas is the number one 
cause of environmental degradation of the nation's rivers and streams, and the third leading 
cause of environmental degradation in the nation's lakes.  
2. What are the Sources of Stormwater Pollution? 
 Stormwater pollution may include sediment (eroded soil); litter; bacteria (e.g., E. coli and 
fecal coliform, from pet wastes and sewage/septic systems); nutrients and toxic organic 
chemicals (such as fertilizers, soaps, pesticides, oil, grease, gas, and antifreeze); toxic 
inorganic chemicals (heavy metals such as lead, zinc, copper and cadmium); salts; acidic 
and alkaline chemicals (such as bleach and battery acids); and other contaminants.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Population growth and development have increased the amount of land covered by hard or 
paved surfaces in urban areas.  Large volumes of storm runoff alter or increase the 
frequency and duration of peak flow events.  This can cause erosion and flooding. 
3. How Does Stormwater Pollution Affect Streams and Lakes? 
 Stormwater pollution and flows may cause erosion/sedimentation; turbidity; eutrophication; 
diseases; lethal and sublethal toxic effects (which may be acute or chronic); increased 
salinity; physical impairment (altered temperature and flow regimes); disruption of habitat 
structure (changing stream beds, vegetation); and stream bank and channel instability that 
adversely affects living organisms. 
 Eutrophication (of lakes and reservoirs) is a state of high nutrient (nitrogen and 
phosphorus) enrichment that promotes excessive algae growth.  When the algae dies and 
decomposes, it depletes the water of oxygen needed by fish and other aquatic organisms. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source: USFWS 
        
I.2 
 
4. Stormwater Regulations. 
 The Colorado Water Quality Control Division regulates stormwater pollution by issuing 
permits for stormwater discharges from industry, construction sites, and some government 
entities ("municipalities") located in urban areas that are responsible for stormwater 
drainage.  In addition to cities, counties, municipal districts, and other similar entities, most 
urban school districts are considered "municipalities," and are issued permits because they 
are responsible for the storm drainage from their properties.  These permits require:  (1) 
public education and outreach on stormwater impacts, (2) public involvement/participation, 
(3) illicit discharge detection and elimination, (4) construction site stormwater runoff 
control, (5) post-construction stormwater management in new development and 
redevelopment, and (6) pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.  
Regulations require the use of BMPs to reduce or eliminate sources of stormwater 
pollution.  For addition information on the stormwater regulations, contact the Colorado 
Department of Public Health and Environment's Stormwater program at (303) 692-3517 or 
cdphe.wqstorm@state.co.us, or visit www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/PermitsUnit. 
5. Stormwater Best Management Practices: Solving the Problem! 
 Best Management Practices (BMPs) are pollution controls that we can perform or install 
to prevent or reduce water pollution originating from human activity.  BMPs consist of both 
structural and non-structural BMPs. 
 Structural BMPs include, but are not limited to, detention ponds, infiltration basins, 
construction site silt fences, porous pavement, stream setbacks, stream bank stabilization, 
sand filters, grass strip biofilters, wetlands, and reducing impervious area. 
 Nonstructural BMPs include, but are not limited to, education, maintenance practices 
(street sweeping and pavement repair), recycling (toxic chemicals), signage, and pollution 
prevention methods. 
6. Point Source vs. Non-Point Source.   
 All sources of stormwater pollution were traditionally defined as "Non-Point Source 
Pollution."  "Point Source" pollution was defined as discharges from a discrete point, such 
as a pipe at a factory.  Many references will therefore refer to urban stormwater pollution as 
urban non-point source pollution.  However, since the early 1990s, state and federal 
regulations have defined certain sources of stormwater runoff as point sources requiring 
point source discharge permits.  Therefore, urban stormwater will often be referred to as 
both a non-point source, because of the diffuse nature of the pollution sources, and as a 
point source, because it is regulated as a point source and discharge permits are issued.  
 
 
 
 
 
Source: USFWS
 
II.1 
 
 
 
 
 
Urban Stormwater Quality 
Lesson Plans 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction (For all Lessons) 
 
Our drinking water supplies, fishing and recreational waters are fouled by uncontrolled 
pollution when rainwater and snowmelt wash over city streets, parking lots, and suburban lawns and 
pick up toxic chemicals, disease-causing organisms (from pet waste), and dirt and trash. This problem 
is called urban stormwater pollution. Recent studies have found that urban stormwater rivals and in 
some cases exceeds sewage plants and large factories as a source of damaging pollutants.  Two 
hundred years of unregulated, unmanaged urban stormwater have contributed to many severe public 
health problems and expensive natural resource losses in the United States. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Help Colorado's Stormwater Program improve urban stormwater education in Colorado! 
If you use any of these lesson plans in your classroom, or as a resource for developing your own plans, please 
contact us at cdphe.wqstorm@state.co.us and let us know.  Any comment and/or suggestions for improvements 
would also be appreciated.  This information is valuable to us in developing future guidance and resources for 
stormwater education. 
II.2 
Activity 1. 
Modeling a Watershed:  Erosion, Pollution and Prevention 
 
 
Subjects:  Science and Geography 
Grade Level:  6-12 
 
Colorado Model Content Standards: 
Geography: 1.3, 2.1, 3.1, 4.4, 5.1, 5.3, 6.2 
Science: 1,3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3, 5, 6 
 
Purpose:  This activity could be used as a classroom demonstration or a traditional lab for students.  
Students will learn (1) how water from rain and snow storms becomes runoff and flows down 
watersheds through storm drains in cities and neighborhoods, (2) how this stormwater runoff causes 
erosion and picks up pollution, and (3) how to reduce or prevent urban stormwater pollution. 
 
Objectives: 
(1) Student will be able to describe the transition of precipitation to runoff. 
(2) Student will be able to state the definition of a watershed. 
(3) Student will be able to diagram runoff and watershed patterns for a local neighborhood. 
(4) Student will be able to demonstrate the effects of stormwater on pollution using a 3-D model. 
(5) Student will be able to state three ways to reduce and/or prevent urban stormwater pollution. 
 
 
Materials:  large aluminum pan or plastic container, aluminum foil, dirt, silt, sand, gravel, paper 
towels, scrap felt, scrap carpet, sponge, food coloring, powdered dyes, spray bottle, water, crushed ice 
 
Vocabulary:  erosion, erosion control barriers, fertilizers, buffer, gravel, landscape, pesticides, 
quantity, runoff, septic systems, slope, soil textures, urban stormwater pollution, water quality, 
watershed, wetlands 
 
 
Activity: 
(1) Fill one third of large aluminum pan or plastic container with dirt in an irregular manner to mimic 
the Earth's surface. 
(2) Press a layer of aluminum foil over the dirt surface. 
(3) Using a spray bottle, spray small amounts of water on the foil and notice how it flows downhill in 
watersheds.  Students record what they observe; e.g., direction of flow, pooling, etc. 
(4) Cover the majority of the foil with a layer of dirt, silt, sand and gravel (in any pattern you like 
until the pan or container is two thirds full) to simulate various soil textures.  Leave areas of the 
model (at various elevations) with the foil still exposed to simulate paved portions of the 
watershed. 
(5) Using the scientific method, have students predict the effects new soil textures and patterns will 
have on water flow, and effects of the water on the soil. 
(6) Spray water in increasing amounts onto soil.  Students record observations.  Does the water move 
certain "soils" more than others?  Does this depend on the slope of the watershed or the quantity 
of water?  Does more water flow from the foil (paved) area than the soil area? 
(7) Place small amounts of different colors of powdered dyes around your landscape model to 
represent solid pollutant sources (e.g., animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides).  Place a few 
drops of food colorings at other places to represent liquid pollutant sources (e.g., soap from a car 
wash, oil from a leaky car, and sewage from a damaged septic system). 
II.3 
(8) Place various materials downhill from some of the pollutant sources to approximate structural 
water quality controls (also called Best Management Practices or BMPs).  Examples of controls 
that could be modeled include: 
 Grass Buffer Strip:  Place a small strip of carpet below pollutants placed on pavement (i.e., 
directly on the foil) to model a strip of vegetation that will slow runoff and pick up 
pollutants such as oils and solids. 
 Wetland:  Form a small depression in the soil and place a piece of felt or sponge in it to 
model a small wetland.  The "wetland" can be placed below an area approximating a farm 
field with fertilizer and pesticide or a factory with various industrial pollutants. 
 Erosion Control Barrier:  Erosion control barriers such as fiber blankets or crimped straw 
are placed on disturbed soil at construction sites to minimize erosion of bare soil before 
final vegetation or pavement is in place.  Place a strip of paper towel (i.e., an "erosion 
control barrier") over an area of loose soil to minimize the erosion caused by the "rain" 
from the spray bottle as it hits the soil and runs downhill. 
Students can brainstorm additional ideas for pollutant controls that could be modeled as well, 
such as ponds, terraces, straw bales, berms, vegetated swales, etc. 
(9) Using the scientific method, have students predict how the various pollutants will be transported 
through the watersheds. 
(10) Spray small amounts of water on your "pollutants" and observe results.  Does the water pick up 
the substances and transport them as stormwater pollution (colored water)?  Does sandy soil filter 
out some pollutants, while gravel did not?  Did your erosion control barriers, buffer strips or 
wetlands slow or stop the flow of stormwater pollution?  Does more of the pollutant run off of 
the paved areas than the soil areas? 
 
Questions for Review, Discussion, Assignment, or Conclusion: 
(1) What is urban stormwater pollution? 
(2) What does erosion have to do with urban stormwater pollution?  During a rainstorm, does more 
water flow off the grass or the streets?  Is there more grass or pavement in the city?  In your 
neighborhood? 
(3) What is a watershed and why do we care?  Do watersheds tell us where the pollution will flow? 
(4) Can you think of any other pollutants that flow through your neighborhood?  What are their 
sources? 
(5) Did any of your treatments (paper towel, cloth or carpet) affect the flow of the polluted runoff?  
What else might you try to slow or stop the flow of pollution? 
(6) 
Is it easier to prevent the release of pollution or clean it up afterwards?  Why? 
 
 
 
Additional Resources: 
(1) As an alternative to creating your own model, commercial models such as the EnviroScape 
model (www.enviroscapes.com) are available for purchase. 
(2) Many urban cities and counties have staff in charge of organizing the local stormwater quality 
program.  These people may be a good resource for finding out information about actual 
stormwater concerns and controls that may exist in the school district's watershed that could be 
discussed or visited by the class. 
II.4 
Activity 2.   
Where Does My Waste Flow?  Getting the Word Out! 
 
 
Subjects:  Science  
Grade Level:  6-12  
Colorado Model Content Standards: 
Science: 3.1, 3.2, 4.3
 
 
Purpose:  This activity will provide students with a knowledge and appreciation of the watershed they 
live in and how they impact it.  Students will (1) understand where water flows in their neighborhood, 
(2) understand the causes and effects of urban stormwater pollution in their community, and (3) share 
with the community information about stormwater pollution prevention. 
 
Objectives: 
(1) Student will be able to identify the direction of water flow in his or her neighborhood after visual 
observation. 
(2) Student will be able to state sources of urban stormwater pollution in his or her community. 
(3) Student will be able to state three effects of urban stormwater pollution in his or her community. 
(4) Student will be able to create public service materials to effectively educate members of the 
community about urban stormwater pollution. 
 
 
Materials:  tag board, paint, paper, pen, and scissors 
 
Vocabulary:  algae, buffer, decompose, erosion, soil, stencil, storm drain, urban stormwater pollution, 
water quality, vegetation, watershed 
 
 
Activity: 
(1) Walk with your students around the school grounds and observe the lay of the land.  While 
walking, observe and discuss with students the features of the watershed.  When it rains, where 
would the water flow?  Follow the path that water would take.  This is your watershed.  Where 
would the water end up going?  Would it flow into a storm drain, stream or lake?  If the water 
would go into a storm drain, research the surface water that the water would ultimately reach.  
Are there any controls in place to treat the water in any way before it reaches the receiving water?  
Observe this receiving water (e.g., pond, creek, wetland, etc.) if possible.   Is the receiving water 
clear or cloudy/colored?  Is it cold or warm?  Do you see living things in the receiving water?  
Do nearby plants look healthy, or is there just bare, eroded soil?  What do you smell at the 
receiving water:  blooming flowers and green vegetation, or decomposing algae and pet waste?   
(2) Back in the classroom, have students discuss their observations, and then lead a discussion on the 
causes and effects of urban stormwater pollution. 
(3) Have the students walk around their own neighborhood and record their observations. You may 
want to assign specific observations for the students to report on, for example: 
 "Where does the stormwater runoff from your home flow?" 
 "List three pollutant sources you observed in your neighborhood." 
 "Did you observe any water quality controls (e.g., signs saying not to dump waste into 
drains, grass swales instead of pipes, wetlands, ponds, etc.)? 
II.5 
(4) 
 In class the next day, have the students discuss what they observed in their neighborhoods.  Did 
they find sources or signs of pollution?  Do they have storm drains in the street that direct the 
runoff into pipes, or does the water just run down the gutter or into a ditch?  
(5) Have the students brainstorm (individually or in groups) for brief sayings and artwork that will 
foster a "don't pollute" awareness among their neighbors.  Examples: 
 "No Dumping, Drains to Creek"  
 "Leaves don't belong in the storm drain" 
 "Junk in the gutter makes us sputter" 
 "Please don't pour, that's our front door" 
(6) Create-a-Stencil or Poster:  Have each student or group draw their design on a piece of tag board 
and cut out a stencil for marking storm drains in their neighborhood with their message and/or 
design a poster to place in public areas in the neighborhood (e.g., recreation centers, park bulletin 
boards, retail stores)after getting permission from the city/county or private property owner! 
II.6 
Activity 3. 
Stormwater Pollution:  Its Physical, Chemical and Biological Impacts 
 
 
Subjects: Science  
    (Biology, Ecology, and Chemistry) 
Grade Level:  9-12 
Colorado Model Content Standards: 
Science: 1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2, 4.3, 6
 
 
Purpose:  This activity is a framework for science class lab work (although the "Additional 
Resources" section has information on obtaining the data for this lesson plan from the internet).  
Students will use physical, chemical and biological science methods to identify stormwater pollutants 
in local surface waters and assess the effects of urban stormwater pollution. 
 
Objectives: 
(1) Student will be able to identify stormwater pollutants in local surface waters using various testing 
measures. 
(2) Student will be able to assess the quality of local surface water using data collected from 
pollutant tests. 
(3) Students will be able to describe environmental impacts from the identified pollutants. 
 
 
Materials:  aquatic invertebrates, dichotomous key, dissolved oxygen meter, kick screen or net, pH 
meter, spectrophotometer, thermometer, water quality test kit 
 
Vocabulary:  bioassessment, chlorophyll a, colorimetry, dichotomous key, dissolved oxygen, 
eutrophication, facultative, intolerant, invertebrates, kick screen/net, nitrate, parameter, pH, phosphate, 
spectrophotometer, titration, tolerant, toxic, turbidity, urban stormwater pollution, water quality 
 
 
Activity: 
(1) During class, explain the causes and effects of urban stormwater pollution.  Discuss local 
observations on potential pollution problems. 
(2) Select the physical and chemical parameters you're going to assess and tests you're going to 
perform, depending on local observations and availability of equipment/materials.  For example, 
if you are concerned about eutrophication, you might assess nitrate, phosphate, chlorophyll a and 
dissolved oxygen.  Students will need to look up normal ranges and/or toxic levels for these 
parameters in order to understand the results.  Examples: 
 
temperature (using thermometer) 
 pH (using colorimetry or electronic meter) 
 dissolved oxygen (by titration or electronic meter) 
 nitrates (by colorimetry) 
 phosphates (by titration or colorimetry) 
 chlorophyll a (absorbance using spectrophotometer) 
 
turbidity (in NTUs using spectrophotometer) 
(3) Bioassessment will involve the collection and identification of aquatic invertebrate species using 
a kick screen or net.  Kick screens or nets capture organisms by filtering them from the water 
column after disturbing the substrate ("kicking" the stream or lake bed).  Flowing waters (in 
streams) deliver the organisms to the screen/net, and lakes can be sampled by sweeping the water 
II.7 
column.  A kick screen can be made from household window screen and wood.  Certain 
organisms (such as mayfly, stonefly and caddis fly larvae) are intolerant of pollution and are 
indicators of good water quality.  Dragonfly and damselfly nymphs are facultative or 
intermediate in pollution tolerance.  Pollution tolerant organisms (such as midge larvae, black fly 
larvae and leeches) are indicators of poor water quality. 
(4) Take a field trip to collect (1) a sample of aquatic invertebrates using kick screens or nets 
(www.people.virginia.edu/~sos-iwla/Stream-Study/StreamStudyHomePage/StreamStudy.HTML 
is a good online resource for identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates) and (2) a water sample at a 
local surface water body near the school grounds.  Demonstrate (for class) how to perform the 
tests for each selected physical and chemical parameter.  Show the class how to use a 
dichotomous key to identify aquatic invertebrates. 
(5) Have each student collect a sample of aquatic invertebrates and water (volume will depend on 
tests being performed) from a surface water body (stream or lake) in their neighborhood. 
(6) Students will perform tests, identify organisms, report results, and discuss/interpret findings. 
 
 
 
Additional Resources: 
(1) Hach Water Quality Test Kits  Self Contained Test Kits 
www.hach.com 
1-800-227-4224 
 
A source of basic, self-contained test kits, such as test strip and titration kits, for analyzing 
water quality parameters.  An affordable and less equipment-intensive way to test for many 
water quality pollutants and indicators, although not as accurate as many laboratory 
procedures.  Multi parameter kits with curriculum information, designed for grade school 
classrooms, are also available (e.g., the Ponds and Streams Kit, Product # 2787700).  The 
company has phone support that can help you find kits for the parameters you are interested 
in. 
(2) STORET  Water Quality Database 
www.epa.gov/storet 
 
STORET is EPA's main repository of water quality monitoring data. It contains water 
quality information from a variety of organizations across the country, from small volunteer 
watershed groups to State and Federal environmental agencies.  This data can be 
downloaded from the internet and used for classroom discussion in place of data collected 
and analyzed by students.  There is a training exercise that provides a step-by-step guide for 
first-time users at: www.epa.gov/storet/storet_download.pdf  
 
 
II.8 
Activity 4. 
Stormwater Pollution:  Integrating Science and Civics  
 
Subjects:  Science and Civics 
Grade Level:  9-12 
 
Colorado Model Content Standards: 
Science: 1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5, 6 
Civics: 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.4, 4.4
 
Purpose:  This exercise will expose students to the ways in which stormwater pollution affects 
different members of our society.  Science will be integrated with government and policy through the 
exploration of an environmental problem.  
 
Objectives: 
(1) Students will be able to state at least 3 types of people stormwater pollution can affect. 
(2) Students will demonstrate knowledge of stormwater pollution issues through small group 
discussion. 
(3) Students will be able to write a professional-style letter expressing appropriate interest in 
stormwater pollution issues. 
 
Materials:  index cards 
 
Vocabulary:  erosion, fertilizers, runoff, urban stormwater pollution, water quality, watershed 
 
Activity: 
(1) Explain the causes and effects of urban stormwater pollution and initiate a classroom discussion 
about possible local pollution issues. 
(2) Create a stack of environmental problem playing cards.  Each card should have a different 
environmental problem related to stormwater pollution written on it.  The following list provides 
a few examples of stormwater pollution issues. 
 Mr. Johnson changes the oil in his truck every few months on the street in front of his house 
and disposes of the oil in the storm drain. 
 Ms. Paige uses industrial strength soap to wash her car every Sunday on her driveway. 
 Walter uses twice the recommended amount of fertilizer on his lawn just before a big 
rainstorm. 
 Prairie Flower Development Inc. is building an apartment building on the side of a creek 
and has no controls in place to keep soil from eroding into the creek. 
 Acme Widgets Company is storing materials in a way that is resulting in oils and metal 
shavings being washed into a nearby storm drain when it rains. 
(3) Break class into groups of 4 students. Have one student from each group come and draw one of 
the environmental playing cards.  This card will give each group in the class a different issue. 
(4) Assign each member of the groups one of the following roles: 
 State Stormwater Program Manager 
 Responsible Party (person or company responsible for the stormwater pollution) 
 Biologist/Environmental Scientist 
 Everyday Concerned Citizen 
 
(5) Depending on available time, choose one of the following methods for having students learn 
about their roles. 
 Have each student spend time on the internet researching the role he or she is assigned. 
 Provide students with brief descriptions of the roles that have been assigned. 
II.9 
(6) Have students in each group engage in a discussion about the effects their stormwater pollution 
issue might have on the different roles they are taking. 
(7) Have students playing the Responsible Party, Scientist, and Citizen write a letter to the 
Stormwater Program Manager, and have the student playing the Stormwater Program Manager 
write a letter to the Responsible Party.  The letters should address the situation from the letter 
writer's perspective and propose solutions.  
 
 
Alternative/Expanded Role-Playing Activities: 
 
A teacher may expand this activity to include a broader range of roles and role-playing scenarios.   
 
Examples of roles include: 
 Pollutant 
 Aquatic organism (e.g., fish) 
 Biologist 
 Environmental group 
 Everyday concerned citizen 
 Environmental Engineer 
 Residential developer 
 City official 
 State Stormwater Program Manager 
 EPA (Federal) Stormwater Program Manager 
 Federal Judge 
 Congressional Representative 
 
The teacher can guide the class through whatever scenario he/she chooses.  For example, the role 
playing might begin with the pollutant(s) telling us who they are, and where they came from.  The 
aquatic organism may respond adversely and be noticed by the biologist or everyday citizen.  They 
bring it to the attention of the city official.  Meanwhile, the engineer and developer are also in the ear 
of the city official.  The city official consults the State Stormwater Program Manager who, 
subsequently, requires a new best management practice as part of their municipal permit.  If this fails 
to resolve the pollution problem, the EPA Project Manager may intervene.  Other options may include 
the concerned citizen riling up their favorite environmental group to sue local governments for failure 
to resolve the situationin steps the judge.  If no solution is found, the congressman might have to 
draft a new bill that will set new policy for the EPA Project Manager to implement through the 
Executive Branch. 
 
This activity could involve verbal classroom presentations and discussion, or be conducted in a journal 
passed between classmates.  This activity is also a great opportunity to integrate the content areas of 
science and civics as the early scientific/factual "steps" in the process leading to government policy 
development and implementation.  This activity could also be a lead-in to your school's mock-trial 
exercise. 
 
III.1 
Individual Action Checklist 
 
What can I do? 
 
Pet and Human Waste 
 Clean up after pets and other large animals to keep feces from polluting water.  Carry and 
use a pooper scooper and plastic bag to dispose of waste in the trash. 
 Keep animals out of lakes and streams. 
 Inspect and pump septic systems regularly.  Chemicals can damage septic systems, so select 
them carefully and use care in pouring or flushing them into septic systems. 
 
Yard and Garden 
 Landscape with fewer hard-paved surfaces to reduce volume of stormwater runoff. 
 Prevent the erosion and runoff of soil by vegetating bare soil.  When storing soil, do not 
store it on or near paved areas where it can easily be carried to storm drains. 
 Landscape with vegetation (such as greenbelts, buffer zones or grass filter strips) between 
hard paved surfaces and storm drains and/or surface waters (e.g., lakes and streams).  
Design drainage systems to direct stormwater runoff into grassy or well-vegetated areas 
rather than paved surfaces. 
 Minimize soil compaction by core aerating your yard. 
 Manually operate sprinklers and use drip/trickle irrigation systems to water only as needed.  
Keep water off paved surfaces to avoid excessive runoff.  If rain is expected, water another 
day. 
 Replace high-maintenance lawns with drought-resistant grass strains and select native 
plants that require less water, fertilizer and pesticides. 
 Raise lawn mower to its highest level.  Grass requires less water when longer and shaded. 
 Compost (or leave on your lawn) grass clippings and other lawn waste that will safely 
decompose.  Do not dump such items in storm drains or ditches since they can clog 
drainage systems and add unwanted nutrients to runoff. 
 Reduce pesticide use by planting pest-resistant plant species or those that attract beneficial 
insects for biological pest control. 
 Store all fertilizers and pesticides in proper containers and keep dry. 
 Use slow-release or natural fertilizers such as compost and bone meal. 
 Follow manufacturer's instructions for application of fertilizers and pesticides to avoid 
overuse and excessive runoff into storm drains.  Sweep excess product from sidewalks and 
driveway back onto yard so it doesn't wash easily/directly down gutters. 
 Never over-water after application of fertilizers and pesticides.  If rain is expected, then 
apply chemicals another day. 
 
Auto and Household Maintenance 
 Store all automotive chemicals (such as antifreeze, oil, gas and grease) and household 
chemicals (such as cleaners, solvents, thinners and paints) in proper containers and keep 
dry.  
 Do not pour these chemicals onto soil. 
 To clean up accidental spills, use absorbents (such as kitty litter and sawdust) and then 
sweep.  Don't rinse with water! 
 Never use storm drains or gutters to dispose of chemical waste. 
 Properly handle and dispose of such wastes by recycling or taking them to a treatment 
facility.  Did you know that 60% of household hazardous wastes can be recycled? 
III.2 
 When washing your car consider:  (1) using commercial car washes where wastewater is 
treated, (2) washing car over lawn, gravel or other permeable surface to reduce runoff, and 
(3) only using the hose for final rinse. 
 Keep your vehicle well-maintained and repair any leaking systems immediately.  Watch for 
drips! 
 
Around Your Neighborhood 
 Report any sources of stormwater pollution that are resulting in discharges into storm drains 
or surface waters (such as construction sites with unmanaged soil erosion, and businesses or 
individuals dumping materials into drains) to local government officials. 
 Do not litter.  Litter can be carried into local streams and lakes where it can negatively 
affect wildlife habitat and water quality. 
 
 
Share your pollution prevention behaviors and practices with your family, friends, and 
neighbors. 
IV.1 
Internet Resources 
 
 
QUALITY INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS 
 
 
1. Project WET  (Water Education for Teachers) 
www.projectwet.org 
 
A non-profit water education program and publisher for educators and young people ages 5-
18. Program development resources, test kits, outreach materials and more.  This program is 
already being implemented in several Colorado school districts. 
 
 
2. Educating Young People About Water  - Water Curricula Database 
http://www.uwex.edu/erc/eypaw 
 
A searchable database of water curricula that has been reviewed and approved by a national 
review team.  Includes urban stormwater quality curricula, and other curriculum 
 
3. Colorado Water Protection Project 
www.ourwater.org 
A public education program (by the League of Women Voters of Colorado) that includes great 
fact sheets and background information on the causes and effects of urban stormwater 
pollution; suggestions for citizen action; and many internet links to programs of local 
municipalities, non-profits, state and federal government. 
 
RELATED COLORADO PROGRAMS 
 
4. Colorado River Watch 
wildlife.state.co.us/riverwatch 
Colorado Division of Wildlife program that links environmental protection with education in a 
meaningful, hands-on project for Colorado residents.  Participants currently are made up of 
middle and high school students, their teachers, watershed management groups and 
stakeholders. 
 
5. Colorado Recycles 
www.colorado-recycles.org 
 
The whats, wheres and hows of recycling anything in Colorado. 
 
6. Xeriscape Colorado!, Inc. 
www.xeriscape.org 
Learn how to landscape with plants that are locally adapted and require less water, fertilizers, 
and pesticides. 
 
TECHNICAL/PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES 
 
7. National Menu of Best Management Practices 
cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/menu.cfm 
 
EPA's comprehensive menu of stormwater best management practices.  Including everything 
from education on topics such as pet waste and litter, to technical fact sheets on retention 
ponds. 
IV.2 
 
8. Center for Watershed Protection 
 
 
www.cwp.org  
 
 
 
 
A non-profit corporation that provides great multi-disciplinary technical tools for protecting 
surface waters, including books and online slide shows on stormwater management. 
 
9. The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center 
www.stormwatercenter.net 
 
A web page from the Center for Watershed Protection with technical assistance on stormwater 
management issues. 
 
STATE AND FEDERAL STORMWATER & NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAMS 
 
10. Colorado Water Quality Control Division, Water Quality Permitting Program 
www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/PermitsUnit/wqcdpmt.html  
Information about regulation and permitting of stormwater pollution in Colorado. 
 
11. Nonpoint Source Colorado 
www.npscolorado.com 
Nonpoint source pollution information, news, stories, meetings and projects in Colorado. 
 
12. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Stormwater Program 
www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater 
 
Technical and regulatory information on stormwater pollution in the U.S. 
 
13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nonpoint Source Program 
www.epa.gov/owow/nps 
EPA's nonpoint source pollution site provides fact sheets, publications and information for 
students/educators. 
 
14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Stormwater Month Outreach Materials and 
Reference Documents 
cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwatermonth.cfm 
EPA Stormwater Month brochures, posters, door hanger, stickers, bookmark, games, fact 
sheets, and other publications. 
 
 
COMMERCIAL SITES WITH RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS 
 
15. EnviroScape 
www.enviroscapes.com 
A company that supplies great stormwater models, posters and other educational program 
materials. 
 
16. Earthwater Stencils 
www.earthwater-stencils.com/foredu.html 
Information about and supplier of storm drain stencils as an educational, interactive tool to 
engage people of all ages.
 
V.1 
 
Glossary 
 
 
 
Best Management Practices (BMPs):  Pollution controls that we can perform or install to prevent or 
reduce water pollution originating from human activity.  
 
Buffer:  A small area of permanent vegetation bordering a surface water or stormwater collection 
system, protecting the soil from wind and rain erosion, slowing water runoff, and trapping sediment 
and other pollutants. 
 
Eutrophication:  Process by which additions of nutrients causes an overgrowth of algae and 
subsequent depletion of oxygen in surface waters. 
 
Illicit Discharge:  The result of an illegal and/or improper discharge of material into storm drains or 
surface waters.  Examples of illicit discharges include dumping of wastes, spills, connections of non-
stormwater conveyances (such as sanitary sewers) to the stormwater system, industrial facilities 
allowing their process waters to discharge directly without permits, power washing, etc. 
 
Impervious Surfaces: Surfaces that do not allow stormwater runoff (water) to seep into the ground, 
such as sidewalks, roadways, driveways, and rooftops. 
 
Non-Point Source Pollution:  
(i) The introduction of pollutants into a surface-water body or an aquifer, usually through a non-direct 
route associated with a rainfall or snowmelt event.  They occur less frequently and for shorter periods 
of time than do point source discharges. Non-point sources of pollution are often difficult to identify, 
isolate and control. 
(ii) Pollution from a discharge not covered under State or Federal point source permitting programs. 
 
Nutrients:  Substances required by organisms in order to grow and survive, such as nitrogen and 
phosphorus.   
 
Point Source Pollution:  
(i) Pollutants discharged to surface waters from any identifiable point, including pipes, ditches, 
channels, sewers, tunnels and containers of various types. 
(ii) Pollution from sources requiring a State or Federal point source discharge permit.  This includes 
discharges from discrete points where pollutants have been added, as well as stormwater from sources 
covered by stormwater regulations. 
 
Sediment:  Insoluble material suspended in water and consisting mainly of particles derived from 
rocks, soil and organic materials; a major stormwater runoff pollutant to which other pollutants may 
attach. 
 
Sedimentation: The settling of sediment to the bottom of a waterway. 
 
Soil Compaction:  The pressing together of soil particles into a more dense mass that is less capable of 
allowing stormwater to infiltrate, and therefore increasing runoff. 
 
V.2 
Storm Drains:  The drains that collect stormwater runoff and deliver it to surface waters. 
 
Stormwater Infiltration:  The portion of rainfall or surface runoff that moves downward into the 
subsurface rock and soil. 
 
Stormwater runoff: Precipitation or snowmelt that flows overland to surface streams, rivers, and 
lakes (either directly or through storm sewers). 
 
Surface Water:  Water that is on the surface of the earth (in lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, etc.). 
 
Turbidity: The cloudy or muddy appearance of water.  Turbidity is mainly indicative of the amount of 
solids suspended in the water. 
 
Watershed: The area of land drained by a stream and its tributaries; the dividing line between 
watersheds is physically defined by mountains, crests, hills, or the ridges of high ground.