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Stormwater Education

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed stormwater runoff from nonpoint sources as an emerging and major threat to water quality. In fact, nonpoint source pollution is now the leading cause of problems in water quality. Consequently, stormwater runoff has risen to the top of issues that need to be addressed in order to restore water quality in America.

It is important to restore water quality because we depend on water for a variety of our needs, such as irrigation, industrial processes, personal hydration, food and recreation.

Stormwater pollution also has profound negative impacts on our aquatic ecosystems. The slightest of changes in areas like water temperature and elevation can drastically alter aquatic habitats. These changes in the water can destroy the current biological system and usher in a new system that is able to tolerate the changes. Usually, the new biological system is not as complex, stable or desirable.

Yard Waste

When you fertilize your lawn, you could also end up fertilizing the stormwater system.

DO	DON'T
Use pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides sparingly to prevent excess runoff. Use a slow-release fertilizer that is low in phosphorus and at least half of its nitrogen is water insoluble. Sweep excess fertilizer back onto your lawn. Use a broom instead of a hose to clear your driveway or sidewalk. Sweep the material back onto the lawn or garden, or dispose of it in a trash bin or compost pile. Keep dirt, leaves, and grass clippings out of your gutters. Use mulch around trees and plants to decrease the amount of weeds in your yard and reduce your need for pesticides. Consider using natural alternatives to pesticides or organic lawn care systems.	Don't use pesticides or fertilizers when the weather forecast predicts rain. You will lose the chemicals that you applied when the rain washes them away, and the chemicals will harm the environment. Don't water your lawn on a fixed schedule. Water your lawn when it needs it. Don't overwater your lawn, which can easily carry pollution to the storm drains. Don't allow soil or mulch to be washed away from the garden. Don't fill your garden with plants that are foreign to your state. Native plants are more resistant to disease and require less water and fertilizer.

DON'T

Use pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides sparingly to prevent excess runoff.
Use a slow-release fertilizer that is low in phosphorus and at least half of its nitrogen is water insoluble.
Sweep excess fertilizer back onto your lawn.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clear your driveway or sidewalk. Sweep the material back onto the lawn or garden, or dispose of it in a trash bin or compost pile.
Keep dirt, leaves, and grass clippings out of your gutters.
Use mulch around trees and plants to decrease the amount of weeds in your yard and reduce your need for pesticides.
Consider using natural alternatives to pesticides or organic lawn care systems.

Don't use pesticides or fertilizers when the weather forecast predicts rain. You will lose the chemicals that you applied when the rain washes them away, and the chemicals will harm the environment.
Don't water your lawn on a fixed schedule. Water your lawn when it needs it.
Don't overwater your lawn, which can easily carry pollution to the storm drains.
Don't allow soil or mulch to be washed away from the garden.
Don't fill your garden with plants that are foreign to your state. Native plants are more resistant to disease and require less water and fertilizer.

Yard Waste Effects

Transports fertilizers and pesticides.
Fertilizer causes algae to grow in lakes and streams, which uses oxygen that fish and other aquatic organisms need to survive.
Creates blockage in storm drains and pipes.
Increases nutrient pollution.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Household Hazardous Waste is any product labeled as toxic, poisonous, corrosive, flammable or combustible. Common household products that enter into our storm drains include cleaners, soaps, detergents, paints and solvents.

DO	DON'T
Purchase non-hazardous household cleaning products when possible. Keep HHW products in their original packaging, and store them in cool, dry areas away from kids and pets. Filter and reuse paint thinner for oil-based paints, and rinse water-based paints in the sink. Dispose of unused paint by letting it dry out and then placing it in the trash. Dispose of HHW products at your local hazardous waste center. Keep your trash cans closed to prevent animals from spilling their contents. Put concrete, mortar and drywall in the trash. Carefully read the label of a product before purchasing it. - Once you purchase a product, you are legally responsible for its correct disposal.	Don't dispose of HHW products by putting them in the trash, sink, toilet, or storm drain, or by leaving them on the ground. Don't purchase more HHW products than you need or use these products excessively. Don't rinse paint brushes with an outdoor hose. Don't select solvent-based products over water-based products. Don't use aerosol sprays. Pump sprays are a better alternative.

DON'T

Purchase non-hazardous household cleaning products when possible.
Keep HHW products in their original packaging, and store them in cool, dry areas away from kids and pets.
Filter and reuse paint thinner for oil-based paints, and rinse water-based paints in the sink.
Dispose of unused paint by letting it dry out and then placing it in the trash.
Dispose of HHW products at your local hazardous waste center.
Keep your trash cans closed to prevent animals from spilling their contents.
Put concrete, mortar and drywall in the trash.
Carefully read the label of a product before purchasing it. - Once you purchase a product, you are legally responsible for its correct disposal.

Don't dispose of HHW products by putting them in the trash, sink, toilet, or storm drain, or by leaving them on the ground.
Don't purchase more HHW products than you need or use these products excessively.
Don't rinse paint brushes with an outdoor hose.
Don't select solvent-based products over water-based products.
Don't use aerosol sprays. Pump sprays are a better alternative.

HHW Effects

Yields personal fines; it is illegal to pour HHW products down storm drains.
Contaminates groundwater, waterways, oceans and drinking water.
Closes beaches and poses health hazards to swimmers.
Disrupts bodily and reproductive functions of aquatic animals.
Can poison or kills plants and animals.
Can cause illness in land animals and people who eat diseased fish or drink polluted water.

Soil

America's number one source of water pollution comes from suspended solids like soil, silt and debris.

DO	DON'T
Be on the lookout for soil, debris and chemicals leaving construction sites in stormwater runoff, and report poorly managed sites. Sweep up dirt and soil. Cover dirt stockpiles in your driveway or move the piles to non-paved areas if the weather forecast predicts rain. Cover topsoil piles and mulch to prevent it from blowing or washing away.	Don't hose off pavement, which washes pollutants like dirt and soil into storm drains. Don't make piles of sand or soil in areas where they are likely to be washed into storm drains.

Suspended Solids Effects (Soil, Silt, Debris)

Inhibits light from reaching aquatic plants, making it difficult for them to grow.
Can destroy underwater habitats.
Clogs gills and siphons of underwater animals.
Impedes fish migration.
Increases water temperature, which reduces the maximum quantity of dissolved oxygen for aquatic life.
Causes increases in spending on the storm sewer system when it is clogged with excessive amounts of dirt.

Car Care

Small leaks matter. It only takes four quarts of oil from your car's engine spilled or dumped down a storm drain to create an eight-acre oil slick.

DON'T

Maintain your car and fix leaks right away.
Clean up spills immediately using rags or kitty litter and dispose of the waste at your local hazardous waste collection site.
Wash your vehicle at a car wash or on your grass at home. At a car wash, the dirty water is treated before it reaches larger water bodies. At home, direct dirty water to the grass.
Recycle used motor oil and other fluids.
Enlist the help of a professional to change your motor oil. This saves you time and energy and increases the likelihood the collected motor oil will be recycled.
Dispose of fluids like oil and antifreeze properly so they stay out of the storm water system.

Don't use more than the minimum amount of detergent when cleaning your car.
Don't wash your car on your driveway or in the street.
Don't perform vehicle maintenance, including oil changing, in places where oil and grease could wash into gutters.
Don't pour vehicular fluids down a drain.

Car Care Effects

Inhibits sunlight from reaching aquatic plants and animals.
Clings to dirt and settles on the bottom of water bodies, damaging underwater habitats such as fish spawning areas.
Coats animals' fur and feathers.
Reduces the amount of oxygen available to aquatic plants and animals.

Pet Waste

No matter where your pet goes to the bathroom, stormwater runoff can pick it up and take it into the storm sewer system.

Do:

Wherever you are, always pick up after your pet and dispose of their waste in the trash or toilet.
Carry a bag with you when you walk your pet.

Pet Waste Effects:

Contains the harmful bacteria E. coli, which makes water bodies unsafe for fishing and other recreational activities.
Contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which contributes to nutrient pollution and causes excessive algae growth.

Litter

DO	DON'T
Pick up trash wherever you go, even if you weren't the person who dropped it. Use a broom to sweep up debris in your yard. Keep trash out of your yard and street.	Don't put trash in a bin that's already full. Don't use a hose to dispose of debris. Don't drop wrappers, cigarettes or other debris on the ground.

Litter Effects

Can choke, disable or kill aquatic animals such as birds, fish and turtles.
Impedes sunlight from reaching aquatic plants and animals.
Inhibits fish migration.
Causes increases in spending on the storm sewer system when it is clogged with excessive amounts of debris.

Additional Resources

National Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Stormwater-Public Education

National Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Stormwater-Public Education - US EPA

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