What is polluted runoff?

Materials such as pesticides, fertilizers, oil, and soaps are a few typical known pollutants, but soil, pet waste, grass clippings and leaves are also some of the many pollutants to water as well. As rain water or snow melt travels across impervious surfaces, pollutants are picked up and carried into the storm inlets which drain to nearby waterways such as streams, creeks, lakes, and rivers.