ANN ARBOR—April showers may bring May flowers, but they also cause a host of environmental problems, with storm waters carrying a wide range of pollutants and organic debris into rivers and streams.

“Storm water can be a powerful source of pollution,” says Prof. Paul Nowak Sr. at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment. “But the damages it causes are often easy to reduce or avoid altogether.”

A specialist in environmental education, Nowak has been working with Terrance Alexander, manager of environmental programs, and his staff at the U-M Office of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, to identify problems caused by storm water run-off, and to let U-M faculty, staff, and students know what they can do to solve the problems on campus and at home.

A Web site is already up and running at www.umich.edu/~oseh/stormwater and Nowak and Alexander are now working on a video about projects and practices that can help prevent environmental damage when storm clouds gather. Alexander is also evaluating storm water run-off patterns across campus, and designing control measures where necessary.

Among the suggestions the U-M experts offer:

www.umich.edu/~oseh/stormwater