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Urban Flooding
Urban flooding can occur when the sewer system's contents exceed its capacity. Garbage and oil in the streets wash away, are taken into sewers and are swept toward ponds, streams, rivers and nearby lakes. Urban flooding takes the litter and chemicals found on the streets and deposits them in local waterways.
Combined Sewer Overflow
Many regions have a combined sewer overflow or CSO. This method of controlling overflowing sewers combines wastewater from homes and businesses with the storm drainage system. The goal is to send all wastewater to the sewage treatment plant first, but the system can be compromised with heavy rainfall when wastewater exceeds the capacity for the water treatment plant. The result is sewer water being swept into local waterways. The waterways will contain impurities and litter found in the street, along with contaminated household wastewater.
Pest Issues
An often-overlooked issue surrounding improper drainage is its ability to harbor pests. Insects such as mosquitoes, which can spread malaria, need standing water to breed. Improperly drained vacant lots and fields provide the perfect breeding ground for these and other pests.
Cement Leaching
Urban environments with large amounts of cement often encounter cement leaching. Rainwater not properly drained away, but passing through or standing on cement, picks up lime that is contained with the cement itself. This lime is then passed in to the soil, decreasing the acidity of the soil or "sweetening" it. All plants, including trees and shrubs, require a specific acidity or pH to thrive. Lime in sufficient quantities can render a piece of soil incapable of sustaining plant life.