Public health effects of inadequately managed stormwater runoff.

Objectives: This study investigated the scale of the public health risk from stormwater runoff caused by urbanization.

Methods: We compiled turbidity data for municipal treated drinking water as an indication of potential risk in selected US cities and compared estimated costs of waterborne disease and preventive measures.

Results: Turbidity levels in other US cities were similar to those linked to illnesses in Milwaukee, Wis, and Philadelphia, Pa.