Storm Water Dos and Don'ts

5/29/2019 (Permalink)

What is Storm Water?

Storm water is precipitation that does not soak into the ground, but instead runs off its surface. Natural processes, storm water runoff, and erosion typically accelerate because of human activity. Impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets block precipitation from soaking naturally into the ground. Disturbed surfaces, such as construction sites, agricultural tillage, and forestry activities, also expose the soil’s surface, allowing sediment and pollutants to be transported more rapidly from a site. Storm water can carry and deposit untreated pollutants, such as sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, into surface-water bodies.

Concerns about storm water

If storm water is not managed properly, it can harm the environment:

Increased Surface Runoff

Increased surface runoff means that large volumes of water enter streams more quickly and at higher velocities, which can cause streambank erosion. Streambank erosion occurs as part of a stream’s natural efforts to regain stability by absorbing the energy of flowing water. When materials impervious to water, such as pavement and concrete, cover the ground or when soils are compacted, runoff increases.

Increased Soil Erosion

Raindrops hitting a soil’s surface and the movement of water (runoff) across it cause soil erosion. Disturbed soil, lack of vegetation, or both amplify such impacts, increasing erosion.

Water Quality Impairments

After picking up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants, storm water flows into storm sewer systems or directly into lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, or coastal waters. In many cases, whatever enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies

Storm Water Pollution Solutions

• Remember to turn off your sprinklers when it rains, to avoid water runoff; during winter, runoff can freeze causing slippery conditions.
• Bag your pet's waste, don't just leave it there. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterways.
• Don't apply pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides before it rains. Contrary to popular belief, the rain won't help to soak these chemicals into the ground; it will only help create polluted runoff into our local creeks.
• Select native and adapted plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
• Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Vegetation can help act as a natural filter for polluted storm water runoff.
• If you change your car's oil. Don't dump it on the ground or in the storm drain; dispose of it properly at an oil recycling center.
• Check your car, boat, or motorcycle for leaks. Clean up spilled fuels with an absorbent material, don't rinse the spills into the storm drain.
• Compost your yard waste. 
• Don't get rid of old or unused paint by throwing it down the storm drain; dispose of paint and other hazardous household waste at recycling facilities.
• Don't pump your pool water into the storm drain - pool chemicals can be hazardous to our creek habitats. Whenever possible, drain your pool into the sanitary sewer system where it can be treated.