What is stormwater?
Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that doesn't soak into the ground but runs off into waterways. It flows from rooftops, over paved areas and bare soil, and through sloped lawns while picking up a variety of materials on its way. The quality of runoff is affected by a variety of factors and depends on the season, local meteorology, geography and upon activities which lie in the path of the flow. (More information about stormwater is available from the state Department of Environmental Conservation at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8468.html.) In Ithaca, all stormwater (and any pollutants carried by stormwater) is discharged to Cayuga Lake and its tributaries.

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1. What is stormwater?
2. Why do we need to worry about stormwater?
3. Why do I have to pay a stormwater user fee?