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Storm Water Side 1 Outline.pdf 1 12/21/2016 10:07:33 AM
Be a Responsible
Neighbor'; //;
Water that leaves your property impacts water
quality? To help protect our creeks and streams from
contamination around the home.. .
Never allow pesticides, fertilizers, or any other mate-
rials to be washed down or put into storm drains.
Do not dump yard
waste onto a creek
bank or storm drain
where it will be washed
into creeks or rivers
untreated.
Purchase and use
nontoxic, biodegrad-
able, and recyclable
products whenever
possible.
If you must buy an item that is hazardous, be sure
to buy only as much as you need and follow the
instructions on the label, and properly dispose of
the excess at a household chemical collection..
Recycle reusable materials. Cleanup discarded
trash as this can be carried by runoff into the stream.
Never allow roof gutters to drain directly to the street
or storm drains. Instead, allow the water to flow over
your lawn.
Reduce the amount of paved area and increase
the ve • etated areas on our • ro • er where storm
Auto Care
Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at
home can send detergents and other contaminants,
such as oil and toxic metals, to the storm sewer.
¢gyp Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on your
lawn or other unpaved
surface so the water
flows into the ground.
' t Repair fluid leaks as
soon as possible, and
dispose of used auto
fluids at designated
recycling centers.
¢gyp Clean up spilled fluids
with an absorbent
material like kitty litter
or sand and properly
dispose of the waste
material.
Pet Waste
Would you drink the water
you wash your car in?
Storm sewers carry runoff
directly to our lakes and
streams.
Pet waste is a major source of bacteria in your
watershed. To help reduce the public health risk from
disposing of pet waste in your yard, and when walking
your pet, please properly dispose of pet waste by.. .
Putting pet waste in a sealed bag and place it in
the trash.
Flushing pet waste down the toilet. Do not flush
plastic bags or kitty litter.
Burying waste in the soil at least 6 inches deep.
Do not bury it in the garden or compost pile.
Having pets defecate in tall grasses (>4 inches)
located away from storm inlets. The grass acts
as a filter and allows the waste to naturally break
down.
Pools and Spas
Discharge of chlorinated water from
pools, even in low concentrations, to a
storm sewer or creek can kill fish and other aquatic
life.
Chlorinated water should be disposed so it does not
enter storm sewers or surface waters.
Drain residential
pool or spa
chlorinated water
to storm water
only when a
test kit does not
detect chlorine
levels and only if
approved by your
local municipality.
Source: The Pt__.
, Discharge filter backwash water from residential
pools and spas into the sanitary sewer.
Properly store pool and spa chemicals to prevent
leaks and spills.
Septic Systems
+ Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems can
cause public health problems by discharging waste
water containing bacteria in our creeks and streams.
▪ Have a professional inspect your system every 3
years.
▪ Pump the septic tank every 3 to 5 years.
iw Don't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks
or toilets. Household chemicals like paint, oil, and
antifreeze can destroy the biological process within
the septic system.
•b Protect your septic system drain field by not driving
or parking vehicles on it.
w► Plant only grass over and near the drain field to avoid
damage from tree roots.