Resource Library

Understanding Stormwater Pollution

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) – Good simple description of impacts
Oil and Grease – Good simple description of impacts
Pathogens (Fecal Coliform) – Good simple description of impacts
Nutrients (Nitrogen) – Good simple description of impacts
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
- BOD (also sometimes called COD) – Good simple description of impacts
- Technical Description – may be difficult to follow
- BOD Description – more detailed but a bit easier to follow
- Dissolved Oxygen - Short video to help understanding BOD
Additional Explanations of Pollutants: TSS, Nitrogen, BOD, Coliform, Toxic Substances (oil and grease), and Salt. See pages 5-7.
Electrical Conductivity/Salinity Fact Sheet

Cuyahoga River History – comprehensive through 2009, lots of great pictures of newspaper headlines, etc. Very detailed article, but students could easily scroll through the pictures. Also has a link to play REM’s song “Cuyhoga”
Effects of Stormwater Pollution – simplified
Harmful effects of algae blooms - Perfect description for SWPPP
Bioaccumulation Definition
Bioaccumulation – Google Search Images
Marine Debris – Comprehensive List of Impacts
Summary of Urban Runoff – 2 videos: Scuba diver in Puget Sound and “All the Cups” by Jack in Texas
EPA Stormwater Page – Menu of BMPs, great in-depth research tool
EPA Urban Nonpoint Source Fact Sheet

Summary of Urban Runoff – 2 videos: Scuba diver in Puget Sound and “All the Cups” by Jack in Texas
EPA Stormwater Page – Menu of BMPs, great in-depth research tool
EPA Urban Nonpoint Source Fact Sheet
After the storm - Comprehensive 20 minute video about stormwater pollution and BMPs
Community education video about residential impact on water pollution

San Diego County Water Authority's "To Quench a Thirst" video series