How can urban development impact surface water quality?

In urban areas, the increase in impervious surfaces, such as roads, parking lots, and buildings, significantly affects how water moves through the landscape. When it rains, instead of water being absorbed into the ground, it runs off these surfaces, quickly making its way to nearby water bodies. This runoff can carry with it a variety of pollutants, including oils, heavy metals, chemicals, and sediments from urban environments. The increased volume and speed of runoff can also lead to erosion and the alteration of natural waterways, further degrading water quality.

The impact of urban development in this context highlights the crucial link between land use and water quality. As impervious surfaces expand, the ability of the landscape to filter and manage water changes drastically, often leading to increased flooding and pollution in rivers, lakes, and streams. This phenomenon emphasizes the need for effective stormwater management practices in urban planning to mitigate negative impacts on surface water quality.