Storm drain

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/storm-drain

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the engineering principle?Gravity-driven flow, with pipe gradients calculated based on hydraulic modeling
2. What is the key pollutants?Sediment, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, nutrients (fertilizers), pesticides, and litter
3. What is a storm drain and how does it work?Storm drains are like underground rivers that carry rainwater away from streets. They use grates, pipes, and gravity to move water to a safe place.
4. Why do storm drains need to be kept clean?If debris or dirt blocks the pipes, the water can’t flow and may flood the street. Clean drains keep the city safe and protect the water that flows into rivers.

Impervious Surfaces: Materials like concrete and asphalt that prevent water from soaking into the ground.
Non-point Source Pollution: Pollution that comes from many diffuse sources, like runoff from streets and farms.
Green Infrastructure: Using natural systems and processes to manage stormwater, such as rain gardens and green roofs.