[S116a]

surface water

Surface water is rain, rain run-off or melting snow that accumulates or pools on top of the ground--not below the surface of the ground--which is temporary in nature, following no definite course and having no substantial or permanent existence. Surface water is considered to be something that is naturally occurring, as in melting snow, versus something that artificially occurs such as when a water tank bursts. Surface water loses its characteristics when it flows into a natural channel, such as a defined river or stream or when it flows into an artificially created system such as a storm drain or sewer. Damage by surface water is usually excluded.