Help Reduce Storm Water Pollution – Water pollution prevention and control measures are critical to improving water quality and reducing the need for costly wastewater and drinking water treatment. Because water pollution can come from many different sources, a variety of pollution prevention and control measures are needed.
Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks and streets, which prevents the runoff from soaking into the ground. Storm water runoff can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into the storm sewer system or directly into lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands. When the water in our rivers, lakes, and oceans becomes polluted, the effects can be far reaching. It can endanger wildlife, make our drinking water unsafe and threaten the waters where we swim and fish.
In an attempt to educate the community on ways to prevent the potential for storm water pollution, we ask that residents be aware of the direct links between land activities and storm water/rainfall and snow melt runoff that drains into storm drains and ends up in our rivers and streams.
The following tips can help prevent storm water pollution of our rivers and streams:
• Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves and debris out of street gutters and storm drains—these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers and wetlands.
• Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions.
• Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints and other household chemicals properly—not in storm sewers or drains.
• Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.
• Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
• Have your septic system inspected and pumped, at a minimum every three to five years, so that it operates properly.
• Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and coastal waters.
Please do your part to eliminate storm water pollution. For more information on hazardous waste disposal and pollution prevention, please call Kane County at 630-208-5118.
