Is storm water the same as rain water?

5/22/2023 (Permalink)

Did you even wonder the difference between storm water and rain water? Are they different?

Rainwater is differentiated from storm water and is defined as storm water runoff collected directly from roof surfaces which can have lower levels of pollutants and it often requires less treatment than other forms of storm water.

A new rule amendment in New Jersey, which took effect on March 2, 2021, requires the use of green infrastructure. Green infrastructure refers to a set of storm water management practices that use or mimic the natural water cycle to capture, filter, absorb and/or re-use storm water.

Water from rain or snow storms, also known as storm  water, flows over streets, parking lots, roadways and highways and roofs and into a water body or storm drain which ends up in local streams and rivers. Storm water runoff is often worsened by human activities, and can contain nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants from fertilizers, pet and yard waste.