Hulevettä

Hulevettä refers to rainwater and meltwater that flows over impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. It is also known as stormwater runoff. This water collects pollutants as it travels, including oil, grease, sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, and litter from urban environments. As it accumulates, hulevettä can overwhelm drainage systems and contribute to flooding.

When hulevettä enters natural water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans, it can cause significant environmental damage. The pollutants it carries can harm aquatic life, degrade water quality, and impact recreational uses of these water resources. In some cases, untreated hulevettä can also carry pathogens that pose risks to human health.

Managing hulevettä is a critical aspect of urban planning and environmental protection. Strategies include implementing green infrastructure such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs, which help to absorb and filter rainwater closer to its source. Traditional methods involve constructing and maintaining underground drainage systems, detention ponds, and treatment facilities to manage the volume and quality of runoff before it reaches receiving waters. Public awareness campaigns are also important to encourage practices that reduce pollution from individual properties.