Excess stormwater in the wastewater system can lead to:

Wastewater may back up into basements or onto property creating potential health concerns, damage to property and the need for an expensive cleanup

Wastewater systems may require upgrades sooner than planned, resulting in increased utility bills to customers

Contamination of natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes and the ocean

Which of the following water contaminants are NOT usually found in stormwater?

Shampoo and personal care products

Contaminants from road such as oil and heavy metals

Shampoo and personal care products

Lawn or agricultural products such as fertilizers and pesticides

Stormwater Quiz

1.

Recent research shows that water quality declines sharply when impervious cover (roads, driveways, roofs, etc.) in a watershed exceeds:
- A.
  
  10%
- B.
  
  25%
- C.
  
  50%
- D.
  
  75%
Correct Answer
A. 10%

Explanation
According to research from the Center for Watershed Protection and many other sources, streams are impaired when impervious surfaces cover just 10% of a watershed. With only 10% impervious surface area in a watershed, you can expect increased pollutant and bacteria loads, flooding, erosion, beach and shellfish closures and warmer water temperatures.

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2.

How many litres of water fall on 1 ha of land during a 1 cm rainfall?
- A.
  
  1,000 L
- B.
  
  10,000 L
- C.
  
  100,000 L
- D.
  
  1,000,000 L
Correct Answer
C. 100,000 L

Explanation
During a 1 cm rainfall, 10,000 liters of water fall on 1 ha of land. This is because 1 ha is equal to 10,000 square meters, and 1 cm of rainfall is equal to 10,000 liters of water per square meter. Therefore, when multiplied together, we get 10,000 liters of water falling on 1 ha of land during a 1 cm rainfall.

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3.

What type of driveway INCREASES stormwater runoff?
- A.
  
  Asphalt or concrete
- B.
  
  Gravel
- C.
  
  Dirt
- D.
  
  Porous pavement
Correct Answer
A. Asphalt or concrete

Explanation
Traditional asphalt or concrete driveways do not allow water to soak into the ground. Gravel, dirt or porous pavement are better options to decrease the amount of stormwater runoff.

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4.

A single quart of motor oil dumped down a storm sewer creates an oil slick of what size?
- A.
  
  100 square feet
- B.
  
  1 acre
- C.
  
  2 acres
- D.
  
  10 acres
Correct Answer
C. 2 acres

Explanation
Always properly dispose of products such as paints, solvents and vehicle fluids. In Halifax, these wastes can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot located at 50 Chain Lake Dr., Bayers Lake Business Park. Latex and oil base paints are acceptable at your local Enviro Depot. If you witness someone disposing of something down a stormdrain, contact pollution prevention at: www.halifax.ca/hrwc/pollutionpreventionwho.html

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5.

In Halifax, you are legally allowed to connect your gutter downspouts, sump pumps and foundation drains to your household wastewater connection. True or false?
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
Direct household wastewater connections are illegal in Halifax. Halifax Water's Stormwater Inflow Reduction (SIR) Program can assist homeowners in identifying measures that can be taken to better manage stormwater on their properties.

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6.

Excess stormwater in the wastewater system can lead to:
- A.
  
  Wastewater may back up into basements or onto property creating potential health concerns, damage to property and the need for an expensive cleanup
- B.
  
  Wastewater systems may require upgrades sooner than planned, resulting in increased utility bills to customers
- C.
  
  Contamination of natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes and the ocean
- D.
  
  All of the above.
Correct Answer
D. All of the above.

Explanation
Excess stormwater in the wastewater system can lead to various negative consequences. It can cause wastewater to back up into basements or onto property, posing health risks and causing property damage that requires costly cleanup. Additionally, the excessive stormwater can put a strain on wastewater systems, potentially requiring upgrades earlier than scheduled, which can result in increased utility bills for customers. Furthermore, the contamination of natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and the ocean can occur due to the overflow of stormwater into these water sources. Therefore, all of the given options are potential outcomes of excess stormwater in the wastewater system.

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7.

Which of the following water contaminants are NOT usually found in stormwater?
- A.
  
  Contaminants from road such as oil and heavy metals
- B.
  
  Pet waste
- C.
  
  Shampoo and personal care products
- D.
  
  Lawn or agricultural products such as fertilizers and pesticides
Correct Answer
C. Shampoo and personal care products

Explanation
Stormwater includes rain, melting snow, surface water and groundwater. Water from your home's kitchen and bathroom is considered wastewater. Wastewater flows into the public wastewater sewer system and is carried to a wastewater treatment facility.

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8.

Where is the best place to wash your car?
- A.
  
  On your driveway
- B.
  
  On your lawn
- C.
  
  At a commercial carwash
Correct Answer
C. At a commercial carwash

Explanation
A commercial car wash that recycles the water is your best option. In Halifax, discharges from commercial car washes are regulated and monitored.When you wash your car at home on the driveway the water goes into the storm sewer. If you do wash your car at home, wash it on the grass to reduce the amount of runoff.

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9.

All areas in Halifax are serviced with separated wastewater systems.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
Peninsular Halifax and older parts of Dartmouth are mainly serviced by combined systems which accept and treat both wastewater and stormwater. After a heavy rainfall, combined sewer overflows can occur and lead to the direct disposal of untreated wastewater into rivers and lakes. Newer areas are serviced with separated systems designed to carry and treat wastewater only.

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10.

Which of the following stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be added to an existing building to reduce the volume and improve the quality of runoff?
- A.
  
  Green roof
- B.
  
  Rain barrel
- C.
  
  Rain garden
- D.
  
  Porous pavement
- E.
  
  All of the above
Correct Answer
E. All of the above

Explanation
Existing homes or buildings can be retrofitted with a range of BMPs. Keep checking the Stormwater Central blog to learn about these tools!

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Stormwater Quiz

Recent research shows that water quality declines sharply when impervious cover (roads, driveways, roofs, etc.) in a watershed exceeds:

How many litres of water fall on 1 ha of land during a 1 cm rainfall?

What type of driveway INCREASES stormwater runoff?

A single quart of motor oil dumped down a storm sewer creates an oil slick of what size?

In Halifax, you are legally allowed to connect your gutter downspouts, sump pumps and foundation drains to your household wastewater connection. True or false?

Excess stormwater in the wastewater system can lead to:

Which of the following water contaminants are NOT usually found in stormwater?

Where is the best place to wash your car?

All areas in Halifax are serviced with separated wastewater systems.

Which of the following stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be added to an existing building to reduce the volume and improve the quality of runoff?