Stormwater infiltration effects on groundwater

The research summarized here was conducted during the first year of a 3-yr US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cooperative agreement to identify and control stormwater toxicants, especially those adversely affecting groundwater. The purpose of this research effort was to review the groundwater contamination literature as it relates to stormwater. Potential problem pollutants were identified, based on their mobility through the unsaturated soil zone above groundwater, their abundance in stormwater, and their treatability before discharge. This information was used with earlier EPA research results to identify the possible sources of these potential problem pollutants. Recommendations were also made for stormwater infiltration guidelines in different areas and monitoring that should be conducted to evaluate a specific stormwater for its potential to contaminate groundwater.