Stormwater Pollution
What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater – runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Hard surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, rain runs off and flows into a storm drain or ditch, which can flow into the nearest water body and find its way into our local water systems. Eventually, these empty the polluted stormwater directly into streams and rivers with no treatment. This is known as stormwater pollution.
What's the problem?
- Polluted stormwater degrades our canals, wetlands, and other waterways.
- Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can cause the overgrowth of algae, resulting in oxygen depletion in waterways. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose, removing oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
- Sediment can cloud the water, making it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.
- Toxic substances from motor vehicles and careless application of pesticides and fertilizers threaten water quality and can kill fish and other aquatic life.
- Bacteria from animal wastes and improper connections to storm sewer systems can make lakes and waterways unsafe.
- Eroded soil is a pollutant as well. It clouds the waterway and interferes with the habitat of fish and plant life.
- Debris (such as plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts) washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
- Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources, affecting human health.
The difference between sanitary sewer system and a storm sewer system
Water that goes down a sink or other inside drain flows to either a wastewater treatment plant or to a septic system for treatment. Storm sewer flows are not treated.
Water that flows down driveways, streets, and outside areas into a storm sewer or ditch flows directly to nearby creeks, fish and wildlife habitats, downstream recreational areas, and drinking water supplies.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
#1 – Keep Areas Near Storm Drains Clean & Free of Debris
Take the time to sweep trash, grass clippings, soil, fertilizer, and debris away from street gutters and storm drains. This will help prevent debris from washing down storm drains and polluting local water systems.
#2 – Clean Oil Spills on Your Driveway ASAP
If there’s an oil spill on your driveway, clean it up as soon as possible so it doesn’t get washed into drain systems the next time it rains. As we have seen from major oil spills in the ocean, oil is devastating to marine life in large and small quantities. Furthermore, maintain your vehicle to prevent the risk of oil spills in the first place.
#3 – Cut Back on Fertilizers
Only use fertilizers sparingly and as needed. Do not use fertilizers right before a rainstorm, as most of them are just going to end up down the drain harming local eco systems.
#4 – Pick Up After Your Pets
Clean up and properly dispose of your pet’s feces in the backyard, especially before a storm.
#5 – Minimize runoff by not over-watering your lawn and garden.
Keep sprinklers on a timer to avoid pooling water.
#6 – Do not drain your pool, spa, or fountain to a storm drain.
Allow chlorine to dissipate for several days. Test the water to ensure the residual chlorine is zero before slowly draining to a landscaped area. You may be able to drain to a sanitary sewer.
