|
Stormwater Management
Who causes water pollution?
People like you and me! You see, when rain or water from garden
hoses and sprinklers flows over our streets and yards, it carries
pollutants into the storm drains; pollutants like motor oil,
pesticides, paints, grass clippings, and pet waste. In most
places, whatever goes down a storm drain flows directly - without
treatment - into local creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually
to the ocean, threatening water quality for humans and wildlife.
Here's the good news - you are the solution to water pollution!
Here are some things you can do to make a difference:
- Used motor oil and oil filters
Did you know that each year
over 180 million gallons of motor oil are disposed of illegally
by people who change the oil in their trucks and cars?
Never put motor oil in the
trash or pour it on the ground, or down a storm drain. Recycle
it instead! Many auto service stores accept used motor oil. Many
waste haulers offer curbside collection of used motor oil.
Did you know that pesticides
that wash off our yards from rain or overwatering are toxic to
the environment?
Testing has shown that even
small amounts of commonly used pesticides may be lethal to
living creatures. So try non-toxic alternatives for pest
control. Take unwanted or unused pesticides to a household
hazardous waste collection center. Never throw pesticides in the
trash or into a storm drain. To find the nearest household
hazardous waste collection facility in your area, please visit
our household hazardous waste locator section.
Did you know that fertilizers
can harm our environment?
Fertilizers promote algae
growth in our waterways. When algae decomposes, the oxygen level
in the water is depleted, and harming aquatic life. When using
fertilizers, follow application instructions, do not overwater,
and do not apply if rain is forecasted. Or use organic
fertilizers!
Do you know where to wash your
paint brushes?
If you're using
latex-water-based paints, you can wash your paint brushes
directly in your kitchen or bathroom sink. Don't rinse your
brushes in the street. Remember, storm drains flow directly and
without treatment into local waterways. If you must use
oil-based paints, clean-up properly by rinsing brushes with
solvent in a container. Filter and re-use thinner and solvent.
Take unusable liquid and residue to a household hazardous waste
collection center. To find the nearest household hazardous waste
collection facility in your area, please visit our household
hazardous waste locator section.
Yard and grass clippings can
reach our local waterways by washing into storm drains. Keep
green waste out of storm drains. Try grasscycling, composting,
or participating in your local green waste program.
Grasscycling is the practice of
leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. The clippings quickly
decompose, returning nutrients to the soil. Grasscycling makes
caring for your lawn easier, and will not cause thatch. You can
reduce mowing time by as much as 50 percent, because you don't
have to bag or dispose of clippings. Leaving clippings on the
lawn also reduces the lawn's water loss and its need for
fertilizer. To grasscycle, it is best to cut grass when the
surface is dry (no drops of moisture on the grass), and to keep
mower blades sharp. Follow the "1/3 rule": Mow the lawn often
enough so that no more than 1/3 of the length of the grass blade
is removed in any one mowing. Proper mowing will produce short
clippings that will not cover up the grass surface. You may have
to cut the lawn more frequently, or double cut, when the lawn is
growing quickly.
Backyard composting is the
process of allowing nature to break down your green waste. When
you mix your grass clippings, weeds, trimmings and water in a
bin, beneficial insects and microorganisms decompose the mixture
into finished compost. You can help speed up the process by
keeping the pile moist, not soaked, and periodically mix it to
add air to the pile. You may have finished compost in as early
as six weeks. Finished compost can be placed over the soil as
mulch, or mixed into the soil as a wonderful soil amendment.
Pet waste contains harmful
bacteria and organisms that can spread disease. Pick up pet
waste, seal it in a plastic bag, and dispose of it in trash
cans. Don't hose waste into storm drains. Help keep your
neighborhood and your pet healthy and clean.
|
