Urban and Industrial Stormwater: Typical Pollutants

• Suspended solids/sediments

• Nutrients (nitrogen & phosphorus)

• Metals (copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium)

• Oil & greases (PAHs)

• Bacteria

• Pesticides & herbicides

• Temperature

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In addition to increased stream temperature, urbanization can increase the amount of pollutants entering water bodies, such as sediment, nutrients, organic matter, trace metals (copper, cadmium, lead), pesticides, herbicides and hydrocarbons, and others. During storm events, the quality of urban stormwater declines sharply which adversely affects human and aquatic uses of downstream waters.