When It Rains . . .
What happens to a drop of rain when it falls to the ground? In a developed area like ours, much of it flows into the storm drain and ends up in our watershed. Rain that flows into our waterways, whether directly or through the storm drain, is called stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is the fastest growing source of pollution to watersheds, which supply our drinking water. As stormwater flows across streets, sidewalks, lawns, and golf courses, it carries fertilizers, pet waste, sand and sediment, chemical contaminants, and litter into the storm drain and ultimately into our watershed. Although our water treatment process is designed to deal with these pollutants, there is much we can do to protect our drinking water before it ever reaches the treatment plant: N Redirect and slow runoff with drainage tiles or splash blocks, or by letting downspouts flow into rain barrels, rain gardens, or a permeable layer of rocks. N If a pesticide spills or leaks, don’t use a hose to clean it up. Soak up the liquid with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter, sweep the material into a plastic bag, and clean the area with a mixture of water and bleach. N Rain gardens can add value to your home and absorb more water than a conventional lawn. Find our more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/ raingarden.htm. N Spread mulch over bare ground to prevent soil erosion and stop the flow of polluted runoff from your lawn into local waterways.