When clean water impacts the ground in natural areas, much of it percolates into the soil and eventually into the water table. Water that does not percolate will flow toward low areas after it is filtered by grass and other vegetation. Urbanization increases the amount of rain striking impervious surfaces such as roof tops and asphalt parking lots. The rain washes surface material, such as dirt and petroleum products, into the surrounding streams. This causes high levels of particulate material and chemicals in Georgia streams.
Streams are important sources of drinking water, irrigation water and wildlife habitat.
Development should occur in a manner to ensure clean water entering Georgia streams. Rain water also washes the pollutants from the air before they enter the water-ways. Vegetative areas are essential to filter the water before it enters watersheds. To manage run-off water quality, we must also manage that amount and location of Green Spaces in developing urban areas. Cleaning water through vegetative filters helps avoid the higher cost of artificial filtration.