Changes in Chemical Composition of Parking Lot Runoff Through a Stormwater Basin System
Location
CoLab, COM 379
Start Date
30-4-2026 3:45 PM
Document Type
Poster
Description
Stormwater runoff from suburban surfaces, such as parking lots, can carry pollutants and contaminants that affect water quality. This study investigated the question: How does the chemical composition of drain water, originating as runoff water from a large JCCC parking lot, change as it passes through a stormwater basin system? Water exiting the stormwater basin system was collected as drain water and analyzed for pH, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, and trace contaminants. Results showed neutral to slightly basic conditions. These findings demonstrate that dissolved substances are present in the water after it passes through the basin. The measured pH, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, and trace contaminants indicate that the basin system influences the chemical composition of water, even though major pollutants were not detected at high levels. These results highlight the importance of monitoring stormwater systems to manage water quality and reduce negative environmental impacts.
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Changes in Chemical Composition of Parking Lot Runoff Through a Stormwater Basin System
CoLab, COM 379
Stormwater runoff from suburban surfaces, such as parking lots, can carry pollutants and contaminants that affect water quality. This study investigated the question: How does the chemical composition of drain water, originating as runoff water from a large JCCC parking lot, change as it passes through a stormwater basin system? Water exiting the stormwater basin system was collected as drain water and analyzed for pH, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, and trace contaminants. Results showed neutral to slightly basic conditions. These findings demonstrate that dissolved substances are present in the water after it passes through the basin. The measured pH, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, and trace contaminants indicate that the basin system influences the chemical composition of water, even though major pollutants were not detected at high levels. These results highlight the importance of monitoring stormwater systems to manage water quality and reduce negative environmental impacts.
Comments
The faculty mentor for this project was Amanda Glass.