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� J <br /> INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND <br /> STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION <br /> Storm water runoff is a major source of water pollution. Rainfall encounters a multitude of <br /> pollutants from falling on and draining off streets and parking lots, construction and industrial <br /> sites, and mining, logging, and agricultural areas. The pollutants are carried off by the rainfall <br /> as it drains from these surfaces and areas. Through natural or artificial conveyances, the runoff <br /> is channeled into and transported by gravity flow through a wide variety of drainage facilities. <br /> Once in these facilities, the runoff may scour accumulated pollutants out of gutters„ catch basins, <br /> storm sewers, and drainage channels. The runoff eventually ends up in surface bodies such as <br /> streams, creeks, marshes, and San Francisco Bay waters. <br /> Runoff from urban and industrial areas has been considered a diffuse source or non-point" source <br /> of pollution. Non-point source pollution originates from a wide area rather than a single, <br /> identifiable "point source," such as an out fall pipe. Unlike industrial and sanitary waste water <br /> point source discharges, storm water is not treated so it carries many pollutants with it directly <br /> into the Bay. <br /> Many recent studies have shown that runoff from urban and industrial areas typically contains <br /> significant quantities of the same general types of pollutants found in industrial and waste water <br /> point source discharges, and cause similar water quality problems. These pollutants include heavy <br /> metals, (e.g., chromium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc), pesticides, herbicides, and <br /> organic compounds such as fuels, waste oils, solvents, lubricants, and grease. These pollutants <br /> may cause problems for both human health and aquatic organisms. <br />