Stormwater Pollution Solution
Did You Know
- Clean water is a precious resource that we all take for granted far too often. Each year there are more and more people requiring clean water to drink, cook, bathe, clean and manufacture goods.
- Unlike wastewater, stormwater is not treated at a sewage treatment plant. Anything dumped or placed on the ground is carried away by stormwater runoff and will end up in the City's storm drains which discharge into our ditches, reservoirs, creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
- Leaves, grass clippings, and other yard wastes cause elevated levels of nutrients in our waterways and is harmful to fish and aquatic organisms. Properly disposing of these materials will prevent them from entering the City's storm drains. Place them in your compost pile for use next spring in your vegetable and flower gardens.
- Pet waste left on the ground contains high concentrations of bacteria and can be carried by stormwater runoff, which is harmful to fish and aquatic organisms. Bag it up and place it in the garbage or flush it.
- Salt and other chemicals to remove snow and ice is carried by stormwater runoff and increases nutrient levels, which is harmful to fish, aquatic organisms, and other animals who depend on clean water for their health.
- Applying lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to the directions not only saves you money, but helps protect our ditches, reservoirs, creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers. Over application adds to the nutrient levels in these waterways and is harmful to fish and other animals who depend on clean water for their health.
- If you wash your vehicle at home, make sure no soaps or oils enter the storm drain system. Either wash your car without soap, pull it on to the lawn or take it to a commercial car wash.
- Keep vehicles in good repair so that they don't leak any fluids.
- Store all materials (oils, paint, household cleaners, fertilizers, etc.) in proper containers and in such a way that they cannot leak and be washed into the drainage system.
- Recycle or properly dispose of all materials.
- Sweep walkways, driveways and other outside surfaces, rather than hosing them.
- Use native plants in low-maintenance landscaping to reduce fertilizer and water.
- Eliminate the use of pesticides in your garden and around your home.
- Cover any exposed soil, especially while working on landscape projects.
- Preserve streamside vegetation.
- Pick up after your pets, both in the park and in your own backyard!
- Walk, ride your bike, take the bus or carpool.
- Volunteer for a Stream Watch Organization.