Stormwater drains are created to collect rain or melting soak that doesn’t soak into the ground. Unfortunately, that water often collects other things while it flows down the road into the drain. These pollutants include oil, leaves, chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, and animal poop.
Ever wonder what happens with water ( and pollutants ) that goes down the storm drain? Do you assume it gets treated by the wastewater treatment plant? Likely not! It often goes directly into your local streams and rivers.
You can take several steps to make sure you don’t contribute to dirty waterways:
- sweep your driveway and sidewalk and then recycle or compost the debris – don’t hose it down as the water runs into the storm drain
- don’t wash your car at home – use a commercial car wash – they use water more efficiently and dispose of it properly
- wash tools and toys over a grass or dirt area so the water can soak into the ground
- don’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides – use natural solutions
- clean up pet poop and put it in the trash
- if you drain or fill automobile fluids, make sure you catch it and dispose of it properly
- educate your kids – don’t let them throw things down the drains
