How Our Project Helps the Environment
In recent years, Hamilton has experienced serious problems relating to stormwater and runoff including environmental and water quality degradation, threat to human health and safety, and millions of dollars in property damage. There have been an increasing number of storm events in Hamilton, including ten 100-year storms between the years 2000-2005.
Normally when rainwater flows over pavement it picks up a wide range of polluting materials, including motor oil, anti-freeze, tire residue, pet waste, and cigarette butts. These are delivered untreated through storm sewers directly into streams and lakes, threatening fragile aquatic ecosystems. Many people do not realize that the water that flows into the sewer grate on their street may not receive any treatment or filtration before entering a stream or lake.