Too much rain can be as big a problem as too little. When rain falls too fast or for too long, runoff carries trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants like gasoline, oil and even asbestos from roadways through storm sewers into local waterways. Flooding can also erode shorelines, stream beds and river banks. Stop runoff using “green infrastructure.” Plant rain gardens (shallow sunken areas with plants), shrubs, and trees to hold and absorb water. You can also address runoff using permeable paving and collect rainwater using rain barrels, cisterns and other capture systems as state and local water laws allow.
