"After the Storm" Stormwater Pollution Solutions

Residential

Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't pour them onto the ground or into storm drains.

Lawn Care

Excess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams. In addition, yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.

• Don't overwater your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
• Compost or mulch yard waste. Don't leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
• Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

Septic Systems

Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by stormwater and discharged into nearby waterbodies. Pathogens can cause public health problems and environmental concerns.

• Inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary (every 3 to 5 years).
• Don't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

Auto Care

Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a waterbody.

• Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
• Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

Pet Waste

Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters.

• When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterbodies.

Education is essential to changing people's behavior. Signs and markers near storm drains warn residents that pollutants entering the drains will be carried untreated into a local waterbody.

Residential Landscaping

Permeable Pavement—Traditional concrete and asphalt don't allow water to soak into the ground. Instead these surfaces rely on storm drains to divert unwanted water. Permeable pavement systems allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing stormwater runoff.

Rain Barrels—You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.

Rain Gardens and Grassy Swales—Specially designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftop areas or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains.

Vegetated Filter Strips—Filter strips are areas of native grass or plants created along roadways or streams. They trap the pollutants stormwater picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.

Commercial

Dirt, oil, and debris that collect in parking lots and paved areas can be washed into the storm sewer system and eventually enter local waterbodies.

• Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.
• Cover grease storage and dumpsters and keep them clean to avoid leaks.
• Report any chemical spill to the local hazardous waste cleanup team. They'll know the best way to keep spills from harming the environment.

Construction

Erosion controls that aren't maintained can cause excessive amounts of sediment and debris to be carried into the stormwater system. Construction vehicles can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that can be picked up by stormwater and deposited into local waterbodies.

• Divert stormwater away from disturbed or exposed areas of the construction site.
• Install silt fences, vehicle mud removal areas, vegetative cover, and other sediment and erosion controls and properly maintain them, especially after rainstorms.
• Prevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed areas during construction projects, and seed and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.

Agriculture

Lack of vegetation on streambanks can lead to erosion. Overgrazed pastures can also contribute excessive amounts of sediment to local waterbodies. Excess fertilizers and pesticides can poison aquatic animals and lead to destructive algae blooms. Livestock in streams can contaminate waterways with bacteria, making them unsafe for human contact.

• Keep livestock away from streambanks and provide them a water source away from waterbodies.
• Store and apply manure away from waterbodies and in accordance with a nutrient management plan.
• Vegetate riparian areas along waterways.
• Rotate animal grazing to prevent soil erosion in fields.
• Apply fertilizers and pesticides according to label instructions to save money and minimize pollution.

Forestry

Improperly managed logging operations can result in erosion and sedimentation.

Conduct preharvest planning to prevent erosion and lower costs.

Use logging methods and equipment that minimize soil disturbance.

Plan and design skid trails, yard areas, and truck access roads to minimize stream crossings and avoid disturbing the forest floor.

Construct stream crossings so that they minimize erosion and physical changes to streams.

Expedite revegetation of cleared areas.

Automotive Facilities

• Uncovered fueling stations allow spills to be washed into storm drains. Cars waiting to be repaired can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that can be picked up by stormwater.
• Clean up spills immediately and properly dispose of cleanup materials.
• Provide cover over fueling stations and design or retrofit facilities for spill containment.
• Properly maintain fleet vehicles to prevent oil, gas, and other discharges from being washed into local waterbodies.
• Install and maintain oil/water separators.
  gotquestions http://water.epa.gov/action/weatherchannel/stormwater.cfm

Control Pollution - Water Quality

Modified from Living on the Land 2001: Stewardship for Small Acreages Project Leaders: Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada, Cooperative Extension and Sherman Swanson, University of Nevada, Reno "Water diversions and dams reduce water flow, often increase water temperature and affect vegetation and wildlife.." Tips For Controlling Pollution Keep garbage, pest and animal wastes, and yard wastes out of roadside ditches, storm drains and waterways. Never dump debris of any type into a creek! Never dispose of household wastes such as paint thinner, motor oil, or pesticides down household drains or stormwater drains. Storm drains often empty directly into the nearest waterbody. Follow label instructions when using fertilizers and pesticides. Homeowners who overapply waste money, may damage plants or animals they value, can pollute air, water and soil and may encourage pesticide-resistance in pest species. If you have a septic tank, have it pumped about every three years on average. Avoid diverting or damming the creek. Water diversions and dams reduce water flow, often increase water temperature and affect vegetation and wildlife. Pave only where necessary. Pavement increases runoff during storms and peak flows, resulting in flooding and erosion. Vegetated ground encourages water to soak in and recharge soil moisture. If you have livestock, exclude them from entering drainage ditches, creeks and streams or manage them carefully to avoid overgrazing or trampling problems. If you have livestock, collect and compost or dispose of the waste from corraled animals to prevent runoff into surface or ground water supplies. Also control pet access to creeks and riparian vegetation. Dog and cat feces add excessive nutrients and bacterial pollution to water, which decreases water quality, causes unpleasant odors, and can also cause human health problems. Cats and dogs can be aggressive wildlife predators. Maintain a buffer of natural vegetation between pastures or paddocks and creeks or ponds. Stabilize erosion-prone areas of your property and control erosion by planting ground covers or native vegetation. The use of native or adapted vegetation reduces the cost of yard maintenance, requiring less water and fewer chemical fertilizers. Check your rain gutters and other pipes to see where they drain. Make sure they do not carry water directly into the creek. Compost household organic wastes if you have the space on your property, or begin a community compost program. By producing "garden gold," you’ll save money and reduce the use of fertilizers that can leach into streams, ponds and ground water. Learn about your local watershed and how it is interconnected with your immediate neighbors, the surrounding valleys, and ultimately the outside world. Minimize tillage in agriculture and garden areas and leave crop and garden residue in place or till it under to add organic matter and soil tilth. http://animalrangeextension.montana.edu