Where Does the Water Go?

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Where Does the Water Go?
Written By: Whirlwind Clean & Green Team ~ 4/9/2020


Where does all that rain go, when it goes down the drain?

  • Does it flow directly to the ocean?
  • Is it the water from our faucet that we drink?

Hopefully, the answer is, “No!” to both of these questions. All rain that hits hard surfaces, such as roofs, patios, streets and parking lots, must go somewhere. Our video footage follows the stormwater system flow of one of our sites, to help explain stormwater systems.

All Stormwater ultimately, ends up in our creeks, rivers, lakes and finally, here in the PNW, in the Puget Sound or the Pacific Ocean. How we maintain our residential and commercial properties dictates the impact water has on our eco system, as well as our environment. It is important to note that Stormwater flows through filtration systems such as, retention ponds or other systems. This process allows water to drain through a slow saturation method to filter out possible contaminants before it is released to the next system; which in many cases, is the nearest waterway such as local streams, rivers, wetlands and ultimately yes, the ocean!

Routine Stormwater Maintenance
Routine and regular maintenance of stormwater systems is extremely important to ensure the proper water flow and filtration occurs prior to the water entering the ocean. The sediment process of water flowing back into the ground is one of the best ways to reduce contaminants as the water seeks its way to the ocean.

Regular Maintenance includes:

  • Retention/ Detention ponds need regular maintenance to help keep water flowing and draining as intended.
  • Downed trees, beaver dams and other issues can lead to big problems restricting the water flow, if not addressed in a timely fashion.
  • Upstream (your parking lot) will flood if there is blockage downstream. Ensuring best management practices are employed on a routine basis ensures only rain flows down the drain and they system will be well maintained.

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