Storm Water Runoff Contaminates Lakes and Rivers
Neighborhood Pollution Is Carried by Rainwater Through Storm Drains
Apr 6, 2009
Warm weather means spring cleaning, car maintenance, and garden preparation. Most everyone is going green these days because it's the healthy thing to do and because there is a critical need to protect the Earth's natural resources for future generations. People are not always aware that the simplest daily living routines, hobbies, and work habits can cause extensive damage to the environment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states, "In the United States, stormwater runoff from residential, commercial, and industrial areas is responsible for 21% of impaired lakes and 45% of impaired estuaries." (U.S. EPA, online article "Stormwater" Updated March 2009)
Storm Water Carries Pollutants to Creeks, Lakes, Streams, and Rivers
Storm water is the water from heavy rain or melting snow that doesn't get a chance to completely seep into the ground. Water from storms washes over lawns and pavement, and flows into nearby storm drains. While most people don't give the rains a second thought, the waters pick up dangerous pollutants along the way. Once the water enters a storm drainage system, it flows to a nearby stream, creek, lake, or other available body of water.
A community storm sewer system includes roadside ditches, rain gutters, drainage basins, and underground pipes that channel excess water away from yards, streets, school and hospital campuses, industrial centers, and parking lots.
Storm Water is Not the Same as Treated Water
Unlike water piped from kitchens, bathrooms, and other buildings, storm water is not treated for dangerous bacteria and harmful chemicals. Pesticides used in gardens, and weed killers used on lawns wash through the storm drain and are dumped into waters used for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Other contaminants get into storm water, as well. Pet droppings left in the yard, fluids leaking from vehicles (oil, antifreeze, wiper fluid, etc.), and paint from brushes cleaned outdoors, are a few common examples. Detergents and car cleaners add to the problem, too.
What Can Residents Do to Prevent Storm Water Pollution?
- Water gardens and lawns only when necessary. Don't leave sprinklers running longer than needed to avoid causing ground flooding. Use chlorine responsibly when maintaining pools.
- Pick up after pets. Dispose of litter properly instead of dumping it on the ground. Pet wastes contain dangerous bacteria that can spread diseases to plants, animals, and humans that live or swim in the polluted water.
- Dispose of household chemicals the safe and proper way. Many communities have 'amnesty days' where homeowners can drop off chemicals, paint, and oil, etc. to be properly disposed of.
- Keep vehicles maintained. Drips and leaks on the pavement contribute to polluted waters when the rain washes chemicals from the driveway and dumps them into the storm sewer.
- Properly dispose of garbage, diapers, and trash. Items that are not biodegradable like glass, plastic, and aluminum, can be recycled.
- Wash vehicles on the lawn and not on the pavement.
- Avoid commercial weed killers, ant killers, and pesticides that are unsafe for the environment.
- Fertilize gardens and lawns only when no there is no immediate threat of bad weather.
- Have septic systems routinely maintained and pumped. Septic tank overflow spreads disease and bacteria.
No one really thinks of garbage washing through the storm water pipelines. Cigarette butts, soiled diapers, plastic bags, aerosol cans, and glass beer bottles, are but a small sample of the trash items that routinely show up on the banks of campground lakes, streams, and other waters where people swim and fish. The danger doesn't stop there. Chemical pollution contaminates fish, sending harmful bacteria into the food chain.
Anyone who improperly disposes of dangerous household materials is a threat to his neighbors and to the environment. The end result is polluted waters that are toxic to humans and deadly to the inhabitants that live in the bodies of water. Staying aware and informed, and using common sense when handling unsafe materials outdoors will remedy at least some of the problem.
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