This investigation is the first attempt to monitor runoff quality in the Greater Kansas City Area since the 1983 National Urban Runoff Program (NURP) was conducted here. The current study targeted the Brush Creek watershed, which has a population density of 5000 person/mile², and nearly one century’s urbanization history. Ten key source areas were selected including residential driveways, streets, parking lots, golf courses and so on. Runoff was collected during one August storm. More than 40 physical, chemical and microbial parameters were analyzed. Methyltertbutylether (MTBE) has been detected in 90% of the samples. Street samples have the highest concentrations of nearly all heavy metals, some pesticides and PAHs, high levels of E. coli., and total solids. The fecal coliform level, especially E. coli. in samples from parking lots, streets, parks and lawns are extremely high.

Since the replacement of the existing combined sanitary and storm sewer system is very costly in such a long-established watershed, there is still a significant potential to improve urban stream quality through community participation to reduce the adverse impact from stormwater runoff, as indicated by this study.