Stormwater
Stormwater Management:
Stormwater is water produced during precipitation events. This includes rain, snow melt, and ice melt. Once the water is on the ground, it can soak into soil, fill lakes & ponds, evaporate, or run into storm drainage systems, creeks, & streams. Stormwater pollution is everything that flows down the street and enters the stormwater drainage system without being cleaned at treatment plants. Anything that flows through the system, besides rainwater, is called stormwater pollution. This runoff is the largest source of pollution in our nation's waterways. It is important that we, as good stewards of the environment, work to keep harmful debris and chemicals out of our waterways.
These common individual behaviors have the potential to generate stormwater pollution:
- Littering
- Pet waste
- Applying lawn-chemicals
- Washing cars on paved driveways
- Changing motor-oil on paved driveways
- Improper disposal of leftover paint & household chemicals
Ways to Help Reduce Storm Water Pollution:
- Use waste containers instead of littering in the street.
- Rinse water-based paint out of brushes & rollers in the sink, not in the street.
- Avoid using pesticides, herbicides, & fertilizers when possible. If you must use yard chemicals, apply only as directed and never right before a storm.
- Wash your car where the water & soap won't flow to the street, or take your car to a car wash.
- Pick up after your pets.
- Take hazardous waste, such as automotive fluids, household chemicals, & paints to a household hazardous waste collection facility.
Additional Resources:
The Mid-America Regional Council or MARC has created and provided many helpful documents, graphics, videos, and other materials to help learn about stormwater and how we can best keep it clean. All of these resources are available for free and can be found here.
Stormwater Maps
