stormwater runs to local waterways untreated turkey creekkansas river & missouri river merge
TRANSCRIPT
Stormwater Runs to Local Waterways Untreated
Turkey Creek Kansas River & Missouri River Merge
Stormwater Runoff Management
Illustration from Mid America Regional Council
Stormwater Runoff
• Water falls as rain, snow, or ice. Most seeps into ground.
• If ground is saturated, frozen, or has paved surfaces, water flows & is called stormwater runoff.
Stormwater Flows over surfaces such as roads, driveways and parking lots.
Where does Stormwater Go?
• Stormwater flows to storm drains along streets.
• It may carry soil, pet waste, oil, pesticides, & other pollutants with it.
• This polluted runoff goes to streams & lakes untreated. Stormwater goes into storm drains and
pollutants flow untreated into local streams, rivers & lakes.
Sediment Pollution
• Sediment comes from soil erosion & from decomposition of plants and animals.
• Sediment will make streams & lakes cloudy.
• Sediment is the most common pollutant.
Sediment has flowed to storm drain and closed it from functioning.
How Can I Reduce Sediment Runoff?
• Avoid mowing 10-15 feet of creek or stream. This will minimize erosion & help filter sediment.
• Sweep driveways, don’t hose them off. Otherwise sediment flows to storm drain.
Don’t mow right up to stream bed
Oil & Auto Fluid Pollution
• E.P.A. estimates that 200 million gallons of oil are improperly disposed each year.
• One quart of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.
Oil illegally dumped flows untreated to area streams, rivers, and lakes.
How Can I Reduce Oil Runoff?
• Fix vehicles that are leaking fluids.
• If you change your own oil, store it in a container and dispose of properly.
• Wyandotte County residents use HHW site.For Info call 913-573-5400
Dispose of your Oil & Auto fluids properly.
Septic System Pollution
• E.P.A. estimates that 25% of homes use septic systems.
• Over 4 billion gallons of wastewater per day is dispersed below ground thru septic systems.
Liquids surfacing from non functioning septic system.
How Can I Reduce Septic Runoff?
• Have septic system pumped regularly.
• Fix any faulty septic system.
• Fix faulty toilets to save water going thru system.
• Do laundry over several days so you don’t send water to system at once.Do your washing over several days.
Lawn Chemical Pollution
• Lawn chemicals are fertilizers, herbicides, & insecticides.
• Over application can cause toxic levels of chemicals & excessive nutrient runoff.
Would you walk with bare feet in your lawn?
How Can I Reduce Lawn Chemical Runoff?
• Conduct a soil test.
• Don’t over fertilize.
• Use chemicals according to the instructions.
• Landscape with native plants. Consider using compost on your lawn
Pet Waste Pollution
• Each rain, thousands of pounds of pet waste flows into local streams.
• U.S. Geological Survey showed 25% of bacteria in area K.C. streams is caused by pet waste.
Flier from Mid America Regional Council, KC Mo.
How Can I Reduce Pet Waste Runoff?
• Pickup pet waste from your yard.
• When walking your pet pickup after them.
• Involve home owner’s association. Education to residents from an
area home owner’s association.
Car Wash Pollution
• If you wash your car on your driveway, polluted water flows to storm drain.
• Pollutants can include soap, detergents, salt, rust, motor oils, and fluids. Water flows to storm drains
How Can I Reduce Car Wash Runoff?
• Use commercial car wash. • If you wash car at home,
wash on area that will absorb water.
• Use biodegradable, phosphate-free, water based cleaners.
• Empty wash bucket into sink or toilet. Use a Commercial Car Wash
Litter and Trash Pollution
• Trash and litter is carried off to storm drains.
• Keep America Beautiful indentifies cigarette litter as the #1 littered item.
Trash & Litter carried off to block storm drain.
How Can I Reduce Litter & Trash Runoff?
• Don’t litter.
• Participate in a neighborhood litter cleanup event.
• Pickup litter in your own yard.
Participate in a Neighborhood Cleanup.
Yard Waste Pollution
• Leaves & grass clippings are blown into the streets.
• Water & wind carry them to storm drains.
• Not only can they clog drains, they adversely affect oxygen levels in local waterways.
Leaves blocking flow of water into storm drain.
How Can I Reduce Yard Waste Runoff?
• Never blow leaves or grass clippings into street.
• Consider using a mulch mower and leave clippings and leaves on the yard.
• Consider backyard composting. Consider Using a Mulch Mower
Stormwater Runoff Management
What Can I Do To Help?
•Sweep your driveway off.•Dispose of oil & automotive fluids proper and legally.•Maintain septic systems. •Don’t over fertilize yard.•Pickup pet waste•Use a commercial car wash. •Pick up litter and trash.•Don’t blow yard clippings and leaves into the streets.
Help Keep our Waterways Cleaner
Wyandotte County Lake