WHERE DOES STORMWATER POLLUTION COME FROM?
There are many different types and sources of stormwater pollution. There are the four main categories of land uses that have impacts on our water resources.
Commercial - Involves businesses that are retail oriented or perform services for customers. Examples include auto service shops, gas stations, restaurants and lawn care services. Motor oil, antifreeze, oil filters and cleaners can all be potentially harmful to the environment if not recycled. Oil and grease contain hydrocarbon compounds, some of which can injure or kill aquatic life even at low concentrations.
Industrial - Land uses that are involves in manufacturing, production or transportation, including construction activities. Waste generated at an industrial site, when exposed to rain or outdoor watering, can wash into rivers, streams and lakes.
Residential - Residential areas and neighborhoods can significantly impact rivers, lakes and streams due to polluted stormwater runoff. Improper disposal of yard clippings, fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides can lead to the exposure of excessive nutrients can discharge into receiving waters (lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks).
Washing your vehicle on the driveway or street allows a perfect opportunity for the soapy water and other cleaning chemicals to make their way down the street into a storm drain and the nearest stream.
The household hazardous wastes in and around your home can affect your family and pets and can be toxic to fish and wildlife. A simple solution to water pollution is picking up after your dog. When it rains, your pet's "business" is washed down into the street and storm drain contaminating our rivers, lakes and streams with unhealthy levels of bacteria.
Institutional - Institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, churches and government facilities can cause water pollution in the same way that businesses and residents can generate it. The types of waste are similar to that of any home or work environment and if not disposed of or managed properly can cause adverse effects on the environment.
IMPROVING WATER QUALITY
Dry Weather Outfall Screening Program: City of Dallas conducts field inspections of outfalls located throughout the City to identify and eliminate suspicious discharges that could impact stream and lake biota. Examples of potential problem discharges include: oil, soapy water, grease, and sediment. Once identified, all illicit discharges are eliminated as soon as possible through education and enforcement activities, if needed.
Business Inspection Program - In 2007, the City initiated a Business Education and Inspection Program designed to encourage owners and operators of local businesses and industries utilize best management practices to eliminatepolluted stormwater runoff from their sites. Pollutants of greatest concern are: grease, oil, soap, sediment and trash.
Inspection, Operations and Maintenance Program: The City actively inspects storm sewer systems and facilities, such as detention ponds to ensure they function as designed to reduce stormwater velocity and improve the quality of stormwater entering local streams and lakes. Owners of private detention ponds are responsible for maintaining their storm sewer system and stormwater management facilities which may include ponds, ditches, pipes, inlets, catch basins, etc.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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Never dump anything down a storm drain or drainage ditch.
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Recycle motor oil and other vehicle fluids.
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Throw litter in its place.
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Clean up after your pet.
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Check your vehicles for leaks (repair them!)
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Reduce the amount of household hazardous wastes generated at home.
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Compost yard clippings.
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Use fertilizer and pesticide only when needed. (Read the label!)
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If you wash your vehicle at home, do so on the lawn rather than on pavement.
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Tell a friend or neighbor about how to prevent stormwater pollution and get involved in your community.
