One of the most impactful actions to combat non-source point pollution is protecting our storm drain inlets from pollutants.
Do you ever notice the storm drains along the side of the street as you’re driving? When it rains, water running off our roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots into our streets is directed into these storm drains and begins its journey to the nearest waterway. Often this is a direct journey, with the storm sewer running straight to a river or stream. Stormwater picks up oil, other automobile fluids, trash, fertilizer and other pollutants and in many areas is discharged untreated into our streams. Even when this water passes through a pond or other stormwater feature, pollutants are not entirely removed and still make their way to our waterways.
We swim, wade, kayak and fish and in these rivers and streams. Moreover, people rely on water from these water bodies for their drinking water. The vast majority of people in the Columbus metropolitan area drink water taken from our rivers and streams. The more pollutants that go into our streams, the more money we have to spend to clean the water for drinking.
Reducing pollution is everyone’s job. Keeping stormwater from polluting our streams depends on all of us. Only rain should go down a storm drain. It’s not just a saying or a good idea. It is the law. What can we do?
- Sweep grass clippings and lawn care products back onto the lawn.
- Pick up trash.
- Wash your car at a commercial car wash.
- Absorb and clean up and auto fluid spills.
- Fix leaking automobiles.
- Use drip pans to catch engine oil and other pollutants while repairing cars.
- Recycle used motor oil.
- Sweep driveways clean instead of hosing them down.
- When walking your pet remember to pick up the waste.
- Record and report illegal dumping down storm drains.
- Don’t dump waste into storm drains.
- Water your lawn by hand, or adjusted sprinklers to avoid over-watering. If any water flows off your lawn, you’re using too much water.
Pollution is not the only problem associated with storm drains. These structures are designed to prevent our streets from flooding. Debris doesn’t just pollute streams. It can also clog drains and cause flooding. You can help keep our storm drains doing their job and do your part to stop stormwater pollution. Only rain down the drain!