HomeMy Public PortalAboutWatertown Stormwater Flyer (PDF)WATERTOWN RAIN DRAIN PAIN
Where does the rain go?
Have you ever wondered where all the water goes
when it rains or after the snow melts? Some of it
seeps into the ground or evaporates, but most of it
runs off over the land and into our catch basins
and storm drains.
Nearly all Watertown's storm drains
empty into the Charles River.
Not to a treatment plant.
The runoff water from rain and snow is called
"stormwater." Stormwater can pick up litter, leaves,
sand, bacteria, oil and other chemicals as it flows
over the land, washing these pollutants into our
streams, ponds, river, and wetlands.
WHEN IT RAINS
IT DRAINS
What you do in your yard or on your property
affects the health of our neighborhoods and
everyone downstream. We all need clean water for
drinking and for protecting wildlife. And we all want
clean water for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Flip this — the other side shows
how to prevent rain drain pain.
Department of Public Works
617-972-6420
Watertown DPW.org
Stormwater Advisory Committee
WatertownStormwater.org
FLIP
Illicit Discharges — What A Pain!
Anything put into the drainage system that is not
100% stormwater is an illicit discharge. Examples:
• car wash wastewater
• gas and motor oil
on8 W@
• kitchen grease/oil
• household cleaners
• paints
Please Don't Mix[
• pesticides
• solventsroil
• vehicle spills•
weed killers
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• pet waste 7.7911-1
These pollutants in the drains cause serious health
and water quality problems.
NEVER put ANYTHING down a storm drain!
Add to the solution, not to the pollution.
Leaves don't I! MAY � W6
F
belong in the
stormdrain ,
..Hu# Ids sEll Ik6er.
More ways you can help:
• Recycle motor oil, antifreeze, tires & batteries.
• Use a commercial car wash or wash your car
on the lawn so water can seep into the soil.
• Cover soil piles with tarps; replant bare areas.
• Go easy on fertilizer, pesticides and
herbicides.
• Clean up spills immediately — use kitty litter or
sawdust to absorb the spill, then sweep up and
dispose in your trash.
• Don't block storm drains with refuse or debris.
• Remove debris from stormdrain grates near
your home.
• Pick up after your pet and dispose of
droppings in the trash.
• And please, don't let your leaves and
grass clippings wash into the drains.