Urban Storm Runoff Quality in Southeast Michigan

Abstract

Methods of sampling urban runoff and its impacts on receiving waters are reviewed and classified into three types. The field designs which yield data on mass emissions are generally most useful for evaluating alternatives to control urban nonpoint pollution. Recent field sampling of urban runoff in the Detroit, Mich. area (Southeast Michigan) permits better characterization of urban runoff quality, distribution of sizes of solids in runoff, and correlations of suspended solids with other constituents in runoff. It is concluded that region-specific runoff data are useful to planners and engineers engaged in analysis of alternative control strategies. Data from Southeast Michigan indicate that certain aspects of the urban nonpoint problem are not amenable to some source controls, such as street sweeping, but suggest that hydrologic modifications, such as detention and increased infiltration, may be more effective.