What is the difference between stormwater, groundwater, and wastewater?
Stormwater is water from rainstorms and melting snow . When stormwater comes in contact with materials such as oils, gas, heavy metals, and solvents, it can become significantly contaminated. This contaminated stormwater leads to surface and groundwater contamination. Groundwater lies beneath the land surface. This water is an important natural resource and is used for many purposes, including drinking water. Half the water used in the U. S. for drinking water comes from groundwater. Groundwater may become surface water through springs or other such conveyances. Wastewater can be defined in two ways. “Sanitary wastewater” includes the water coming from lavatories/washrooms, showers, drinking fountains, etc. “Industrial wastewater” includes the water from floor drains in dismantling areas, discharges from aqueous cleaning, water from steam cleaning or equipment wash down, water used for floor cleanup in dismantling areas (e.g., mop water), or water from any other sources where it comes
