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 After The Storm Latest Columbine Valley, Colorado, weather

 

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What is storm water runoff?  Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground.  Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent storm water from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is storm water runoff a problem?  Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water.  Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water.

The effects of pollution  Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people. 

bulletSediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow.  Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.
bulletExcess nutrients can cause algae blooms.  When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water.  Fish and other aquatic organisms can't exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
bulletBacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.
bulletDebris - plastic bags, six pack rings, bottles and cigarette butts - washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
bulletHousehold hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life.  Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
bulletPolluted storm water often affects drinking water sources.  This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

STORM WATER POLLUTION SOLUTIONS

Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids.  Don't pour them onto the ground or into storm drains.

    Lawn care  Excess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams.  In addition, yard clipping and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.

bulletDon't overwater your  lawn.  Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
bulletUse pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.  When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts.  Use organic mulch or safe pest control methods whenever possible.
bulletCompost or mulch yard waste.  Don't leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
bulletCover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

    Auto care  Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system.  Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a waterbody.

bulletUse a commercial car wash that treats or recycles it wastewater, or wash you car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
bulletRepair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop off or recycling locations.

    Septic systems  Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by storm water and discharged into nearby waterbodies.  Pathogens can cause public health problems and environmental concerns.

bulletInspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary (every 3 to 5 years).
bulletDon't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

    Pet waste  Pet waste can be a major souce of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters.

bulletWhen walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly.  Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method.  Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterbodies.

    Residential landscaping 

PERMEABLE PAVEMENT - Traditional concrete and asphalt don't allow water to soak into the ground.  Instead these surfaces rely on storm drains to divert unwanted water.  Permeable pavement systems allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing storm water runoff.

RAIN BARRELS - You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers.  The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.

RAIN GARDENS AND GRASSY SWALES - Specially designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground.  Rain from rooftop areas or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains.

VEGETATED FILTER STRIPS - Filter strips are areas of native grass or plants created along roadways or streams.  They trap the pollutants storm water picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.

    Construction  Erosion controls that aren't maintained can cause excessive amounts of sediment and debris to be carried into the storm water system.  Construction vehicles can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that can be picked up by storm water and deposited into local waterbodies.

bulletDirvert storm water away from disturbed or exposed areas of the construction site.
bulletInstall silt fences, vehicle mud removal areas, vegetative cover, and other sediment and erosion controls and properly maintain them especially after rainstorms.
bulletPrevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed areas during construction projects, and seed and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.

 

 

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Last modified: 12/02/07

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