Pollution Prevention - Urban Watersheds: Geology, Contamination, and Sustainable Development - page 459

about soil type and texture can help direct specific erosion control measures. For example,
the performance of certain geotextiles varies due to the difference in the characteristics of
suspended solids associated with different soils (Barrett et al. 1998).
Special consideration should also be given to road placement in developing areas and
wellhead protection. Roads should be designed so as to not join partial areas of runoff, and
stormwater runoff should be considered when creating protection zones around wells.
13.4.1.5.4 Minimization
Since homes store an average of 3-10 gal of hazardous waste, all of the substitution recom-
mendations made in the point source section apply here as well. Recycling paper, plas-
tic, and metal cans is also an effective way to reduce inputs of undesired substances into
streams. In addition, individual households can advance pollution minimization through
the purchase of environmentally friendly products and packaging, increasing their effi-
ciencies of energy and water use, and selecting less polluting transportation forms such as
carpooling and mass transit.
13.4.1.6 Step 6: Assessing Results
Efforts to reduce erosion and stormwater runoff can be evaluated on several levels.
Visually, improvements across the watershed will be seen in ecosystem health, receiv-
ing water quality (surface water and groundwater), and soil conditions. Hydrologically,
there would be a lower frequency of floods and a less “flashy” stream response, that is, a
slowing down of the relatively short time required to reach peak runoff typical of urban
watersheds. Testing of the stormwater runoff would reveal consistently lower amounts
of suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, bacteria, and other contam-
inants responsible for degrading water quality. Groundwater quality would improve
based on systematic well testing, and baseflow rates would increase as more water was
infiltrated. The increased baseflow would also help to keep stream channels at higher
levels throughout the year and make aquatic ecosystems less vulnerable to the effects of
higher water temperatures.
The results of any sampling/monitoring efforts undertaken to reduce erosion and storm-
water within watersheds should be published. This helps educate the public about these
efforts and may increase public involvement. It also makes the organizations conducting
the work more accountable.
13.5 Summary and Conclusion
Pollution prevention benefits everyone, especially the environment. By evaluating the
processes generating waste, the types of wastes generated, identifying specific chemicals
used, calculating CRFs, and evaluating geologic vulnerability, an effective and efficient
pollution prevention program can be developed. This program maximizes the protec-
tion of human health and the environment and can result in significant financial benefits,
future cost avoidance, and liability reduction.
Point sources and nonpoint sources share similar characteristics, specifically their trans-
port media and transport processes. This common ground allows for the application of a
successful point source prevention framework to nonpoint sources.