How do airports manage water quality and stormwater?

• A. Spill prevention and regulatory compliance.
• B. Water conservation and reuse only.
• C. Stormwater management practices, spill prevention, and regulatory compliance.
• D. Noise monitoring as the primary tool.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that airports protect water quality and manage stormwater through an integrated program that combines stormwater management, spill prevention, and regulatory compliance. Stormwater management means controlling runoff from all paved areas to prevent pollutants from reaching streams, rivers, or bays. This uses both structural controls like detention or retention basins, oil-water separators, and capture systems, and operational practices such as regular street sweeping, housekeeping, and treatment where needed. Spill prevention focuses on stopping releases from fueling, maintenance, de-icing fluids, and other activities, with measures like proper containment, secondary containment for tanks, leak detection, and prepared spill response. Regulatory compliance ensures that all activities meet environmental laws and permit requirements, including reporting, inspections, training, and plans like stormwater pollution prevention or other permits specific to airport operations.

So, the best answer reflects this full, practical approach. Choices that emphasize only water conservation or reuse miss the stormwater and regulatory aspects, and noise monitoring isn’t related to water quality management.