Tennessee Valley Authority Economic Development
Sustainable Development Guide
Section 2: Roads and Parking Lots
Introduction
Roads and parking lots are the major source of urban nonpoint source pollution (1). They concentrate and convey high levels of pollutants through catch basins and pipes to detention ponds, wetlands, streams, or lakes. They also warm the first flush of storm water.
According to Milwaukee River Basin Partnership web site, streets and parking lots are the source of most of the lead in runoff from industrial areas and of the zinc in runoff from commercial areas. (2)
Industrial site designers can reduce these impacts by developing roads and parking lots that:
- Avoid disturbing natural drainage patterns
- Reduce impervious areas by varying road pavement width according to the proposed use
- Incorporate alternative storm-water management techniques, rather than curb and gutter.
See the following pages for details:
Design principles for parking lots
