This act was passed to regulate the discharge of pollutants in waters: oceans, rivers, bays, lakes, streams.
It also includes storm-water regulations across the country to ensure that the requirements of storm-water are appropriate to the cities geography, climate and patterns of development.
The concerns of pollutants are an issue that had to be addressed because of the different types found in storm water.
Concerns include sediment, organic matter, bacteria, oil/grease, heavy metals, toxic and synthetic chemicals: pesticides, plant nutrients: fertilizers and phosphorous.
Sediment comes from soil erosions that occur in bare areas on constructions sites. All areas contribute a huge amount of sediment. Dirt and dust from roads, roofs, and lots are also sediments that will wash off during rainy days, making its way to storm-water.
Organic matter is natural materials; for example, leaves sticks grass clippings, animal wastes and other materials such as paper, garbage, etc.
Bacteria that is made from animals that are able to crawl in sewage. Squirrels, mice and seagulls are just some of the animals that contribute and leave feces in these sewages that eventually runoff in stormwater.
Oil & grease from vehicles that leak creates some kind of lubricating agent that creates rainbow-like colors, contributing to storm-water pollution.
Heavy metals--such as copper, mercury, chromium, lead, iron, aluminum, manganese, boron, zinc and cadmium--come from vehicle emissions, weathering paints, wood preservatives, even minerals from rocks, soil and road salts accumulate and eventually affect sea creatures, and the folks who eat the sea mammals as well.
Toxic and synthetic chemicals have full effect on the biological conditions that threaten the aquatic life.
Plant nutrients sold in stores to help plants to grow contain phosphorous and fertilizers that can create undesirable bacteria, plants and algae to grow.
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