Storm Water Utility
Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff begins as rain and carries pollutants from land surfaces on its way to water bodies, such as streams, lakes, and rivers. The pollutants picked up by stormwater come from a variety of sources, including construction sites, fluids from leaking vehicles, vehicle emissions and exhaust, bacteria from failing septic systems, and animal wastes, as well as trash and other debris. Often as land is developed the character of stormwater is altered. The paving of surfaces result in runoff entering water sources at a much faster rate. It is important to properly manage stormwater runoff to reduce or eliminate the negative impacts associated with it.
Flooding occurs when an excessive volume of runoff is generated. This is a result of the amount of impervious land surfaces and the rate at which runoff is delivered. Flooding accounts for most of the nation’s disaster declarations. Floods are one of the most deadly types of weather conditions and claim hundreds of lives each year. They also cause more damage to property and infrastructure than any other weather hazard. Property damage estimates range into the billions yearly.
The amount of pollutants entering water bodies is increased by untreated runoff. Pollutants can damage the quality of a lake or stream, adversely impacting the aquatic habitat of many insects and animals. The major sources of water pollution are physical, biological, and chemical and fall under three categories: agricultural, industrial, and municipal. Water pollutants commonly consist of petroleum products, hazardous wastes, organic matter, trace metals, heat, and herbicides and pesticides.
Point Source
Point source pollution is generated from pollutants that enter a body of water directly from a specific source, usually a pipe. These are generally discharged as a result of agricultural, industrial or municipal activities. The point sources of pollution may typically include:
- Pipe discharges from an industrial or municipal plant
- Sewage system overflows and bypasses
- Chemical spills from oil and gas companies
- Seepage from underground storage tanks
- Illegal discharges into storm sewers and drains
Non-Point Source
Non-point source pollution is generated from a variety of sources. The pollutants are indirectly deposited. As runoff travels it picks up and carries man made and natural pollutants, transferring them into the various water sources. The non-point sources may include the following:
- Sediments from construction sites
- Stream bank erosion
- Animal wastes
- Hazardous wastes from landfills
- Oil, grease, and chemical spills
- Herbicides, fertilizers, and insecticides
- Trash, litter. and other debris
Individually
- Do not blow leaves and grass into storm drains or ditches – Dumping leaves and grass clippings into the stormwater management system impacts streams. The increase in nutrients associated with grass clippings can cause algae growth, which can kill fish and other aquatic life.
- Never pour anything other than stormwater down a storm drain – Pouring chemicals down a storm drain has the same impact as dumping the chemicals directly into a stream. Never wash a chemical such as paint or cleaner fluids into a storm drain.
- Keep your pets away from waterside areas and when walking pets, clean up after them – Animal waste contains bacteria, which is harmful to streams. Pick up all pet waste and dispose of it properly by wrapping it and placing it in the trash or flushing it down the toilet. Never dispose of pet waste in a storm drain.
- Properly maintain septic systems – Improperly maintained septic systems make leak waste, which contains bacteria and harmful chemicals, into streams.
- Follow Manufacturer’s specifications when using fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides – Applying fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides in excess leads to stormwater pollution. The excess chemicals wash off the lawns with the next rain, and flow into the nearest storm drain and directly to the nearest stream. Once they reach the stream, these chemicals will degrade water quality and are very harmful to aquatic and wildlife.
- Report any unauthorized dumping or pollution – You can help reduce the pollution in our streams by being a good stormwater steward.
