The influence of selected precipitation and land use characteristics upon the water quality of urban runoff

Abstract

An investigation of the chemistry of storm water runoff was conducted in six urbanized basins adjacent to the upper portion of the Truckee River. Thirteen water quality characteristics were examined and related to selected precipitation, land use, and geomorphic factors. A multiple regression computer program was used to compute seventy-nine predictive equations for the pollution variables in terms of the influential characteristics. Several equations, developed for application to individual test areas, relate water quality to storm characteristics only. A second group of "regional" predictors was computed using precipitation, land use, and geomorphic factors and are applicable to all study basins. Assessment of urban runoff in individual areas illustrated the importance of several precipitation factors, although, no consistent relationships between quality parameters and storm characteristics were observed. Several land use and storm water characteristics were found to be strong influences upon water quality in all study areas.