RESIDENTS, Homeowners and businesses

Harnessing the power of knowledge to positively impact water quality

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WINTER STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION TIPS FOR RESIDENTS AND HOMEOWNERS

The next time it snows, keep an eye on the color of the snow along the sides of the road. It most likely will turn grayish or brownish in color due to the sand, salt, oil, trash, and other pollutants collecting in it. Then, as that snow melts, it washes those pollutants to the nearest storm drain and directly into our waterways.  

None of our stormwater is treated or cleaned at the water treatment facility, so It’s important to take steps to prevent stormwater pollutants from coming into contact with the snow. Here are a few tips to consider:

·       Pile snow where it will have the most opportunity to soak into the ground.

·       Make sure the nearest storm drains are clear and do not pile snow on them.

·       Shovel early and shovel often! The more snow and ice you remove, the less salt you will have to use.

·       Consider using an ice scraper or flat metal shovel to remove stubborn snow and ice.

Did you know...most deicing chemicals, such as salt, end up in our soil or in our local creeks? Melting snow flows into the stormwater system and picks up salt as it travels over surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and driveways.

·       A single piece of salt or ice melt can go a long way in melting ice and if the salt is crunching underfoot, too much has been put down.

·       Sweep up excess salt or sand from the dry pavement after it is no longer being put to use.

SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ANYTIME

1.Bag and trash pet waste- Pet waste carries E.coli + other harmful bacteria which are main contaminators of the Jordan River. Bag and trash pet waste every time.

2. Pick up and throw away trash from sidewalks, parking lots, streets and gutters. In addition to the trash itself, trash carries harmful bacteria, oils, and chemicals directly into our waterways 

3. Sweep and throw away grass clippings, fallen leaves, and other garden waste from sidewalks, gutters and keep away from storm drains.  Excess nutrients in our water bodies caused by this “natural” waste adds nutrients that lead to algae blooms, and that are very bad news to fish and other aquatic life, and through a process called Eutrophication, can make humans very sick. Leaves and other “natural” waste/debris contain nutrients that lead to algae blooms, harm fish + other aquatic life, and can make humans very sick.

4. In your yard and garden, if you must use fertilizer, use it VERY sparingly. Any fertilizer not absorbed by plants or grass carries the excess nutrients through the ground, then into the aquifers, and finally into our waterways.  Any dry or pellet fertilizer that gets onto a hard surface, such as sidewalks or driveways, needs to be swept back onto the lawn or garden, or thrown into the trash.   When added to excess nutrients resulting from pet and wild animal waste, decomposing leaves and grass clippings, excess fertilizer causes impaired waterbodies, algae blooms, fish kills, and eutrophication (a cycle of dark, slimy, decaying, putrid water). 

 
 
 

Resident and Homeowner Education:

Download the Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater. Produced by Penn State University

https://agsci.psu.edu/aec/research-extension/conservation-tools/stormwater-management

Topic Specific Resident Resources:

Maintenance of Septic Systems:

Effects of Outdoor & Household Activities:

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW):

Importance of Vehicle Maintenance:

Onsite Infiltration:

Proper Disposal of Swimming Pool Water

Pet Waste

Trash

Yard Care

 

What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater is the water that runs off of the land surface when it rains or snow melts. It enters the storm drain system and flows directly to local creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Stormwater runoff from undeveloped land is typically low since most rain or snowmelt infiltrates into the ground or is lost to evaporation. Additional runoff from developed areas is created from impervious surfaces like streets, parking lots, and rooftops that prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is stormwater runoff a problem?

Stormwater from urban/developed areas typically contains a number of pollutants, such as oil and grease from roadways and parking lots, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, sediment from construction sites, sand and dirt from roadway maintenance practices, and carelessly discarded trash such as cigarette butts, wrappers, plastic bags, and plastic bottles. When these pollutants enter gutters, storm drains, and eventually water bodies, they hinder recreation activities, harm aquatic and other wildlife habitats, and can contaminate drinking water supplies,.

In addition to washing pollutants into our surface waters, improperly managed stormwater runoff can result in soil erosion and flooding.

The effects of pollution...

Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

  • Sediment can cloud the water and make difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.

  • Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels

  • Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming hazards, often making people and animals sick.

  • Debris—plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts—washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, and birds.

  • Household hazardous waste like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.

 

Need technical assistance to help your business reduce pollution? Contact Salt Lake County Health Department at (385)468-3862.