What is Stormwater Pollution?
What is Stormwater
Pollution?
When rainwater falls on our streets, sidewalks, and driveways, it cannot naturally
soak into the soil, which means it will probably end up in the nearest storm drain.
As stormwater travels over these surfaces and into the stormwater drainage
system, any chemicals or debris left on the ground are picked up along the way.
Effects of
Stormwater
Pollution
Because the water in our storm drains is not treated, a “toxic soup” consisting of
water, chemicals, and trash, is created. This mixture then flows through a system
of pipes and channels before ending up in one of our local streams, rivers, or
lakes.
You Can Help:
Some of the more common pollutants include:
Trash (cigarette butts, Styrofoam cups, food wrappers, etc)
Toxins (fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, pet waste, etc)
Tips for Your Car
Tips for Your
Lawn & Garden
Picking Up After
Your Pet
What are the effects of stormwater pollution?
Volunteer – Mark
Our Storm Drains!
Health:
Stormwater pollution can pose serious health risks to people and animals.
Pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals are continually being washed from our
streets and into local water supplies, where they are creating more problems than
we understand.
Environment:
Because polluted stormwater flows directly into bodies of water, aquatic fauna and
flora are usually the first affected. Fertilizer runoff causes algae blooms, depriving
aquatic life of oxygen, while sediment clouds water and destroys habitats. Litter
washed into rivers and lakes can choke, disable, or even kill fish and other
animals.
Communities:
When storm drains are used to dispose of more than just stormwater, serious
problems can arise. Leaves, grass clippings, and other debris can pile up in our
storm drains, creating “nests” that attract rats, mice, and cockroaches. These
build-ups can also lead to foul odors and effectively clog up drainage systems,
causing localized flooding.
Tips for Your Car
What is Stormwater
Pollution?
Effects of
Stormwater
Pollution
You Can Help:
Tips for Your Car
Check Your Car for Leaks
Oil and other fluids that have leaked from your vehicle and onto the ground will be
washed away when it rains. This may seem rather convenient, but remember, oil
doesn’t just disappear. In most cases, leaked chemicals are picked up by water
and carried into storm drains before eventually reaching our local rivers and lakes.
Taking care of your car benefits the environment and keeps your vehicle running
smoothly – saving you time and money!
Recycle Used Motor Oil
One gallon of oil dumped on the ground or into storm drains can create an oil slick
the size of two football fields and ruin a million gallons of fresh water. This is an
entire year's supply of water for 50 people! Please help us keep oil out of our
waterways by recycling used oil and other chemicals. Household hazardous waste
can be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 6245 Tuttle Creek
Blvd. or to Howie’s Recycling on the second Saturday of each month. Facility
hours and contact information can be found on our Contact Us page.
Tips for Your
Lawn & Garden
Picking Up After
Your Pet
Volunteer – Mark
Our Storm Drains!
Wash Your Car Properly
Chances are you’ve seen someone
washing a car in their driveway. Did
you happen to see a trail of soapy
water flowing into the storm drain too?
That little bit of soap doesn’t seem like
it could be very harmful to the
environment, but when thousands of
people in Manhattan do the same
thing, it can have a huge impact on our
local waters! Soapy water actually
helps produce algae, which in turn,
steals oxygen from aquatic life.
To avoid this kind of pollution, take your car to a commercial car wash where the
water can be recycled and treated. If you can't go to a car wash, try washing your
vehicle on grass – this allows the soil to filter out some of the pollutants.
Remember to use biodegradable soap and always conserve water.
Tips for Your Lawn & Garden
What is Stormwater
Pollution?
Effects of
Stormwater
Pollution
You Can Help:
Tips for Your Car
Tips for Your
Lawn & Garden
Picking Up After
Your Pet
Volunteer – Mark
Our Storm Drains!
Use Fertilizers Sparingly
Fertilizers are easily washed into bodies of water where they promote the growth of
algae, robbing aquatic life of oxygen. To combat this problem and avoid excess
application, always follow instructions. Never fertilize if rain has been forecasted!
Vegetate Bare Spots in Your Yard
Vegetation helps your lawn retain water and prevents erosion. Because grass,
trees, and other plants are able to slow down and absorb water, they can reduce
runoff from your land. Sediment carried into storm drains can cloud water and
destroy aquatic habitats. Plant your garden with native flora to avoid using extra
water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
Direct Downspouts Away from Paved Surfaces
Allow the water from your gutters to drain into vegetation, rather than directly to
pavement. This helps water filter through the soil and reduces runoff.
Sweep Up Yard Waste
Sweep grass clippings and other debris
off the pavement and into your lawn,
garbage, or compost pile. If it rains or you
use a hose to clean off your pavement,
the debris will be washed into Wildcat
Creek, or the Kansas or Big Blue River.
Compost Organic Waste
Compost organic waste like grass
clippings, leaves, melon rinds, tea bags, carrot peelings and apple cores! Organic
compost is an amazing, natural, free fertilizer – and it benefits your environment!
Use Pesticides Only When Necessary
Do not over apply pesticides or use before rain is forecasted. Try using plants that
naturally repeal insects. Learn about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from this
website: www.epa.gov/pesticides
Picking Up After Your Pet
What is Stormwater
Pollution?
Effects of
Stormwater
Pollution
You Can Help:
Tips for Your Car
Pet waste left on the ground is not only an unsightly nuisance, it also pollutes local
bodies of water. When it rains, animal waste can be washed into storm drains,
streams, rivers, and lakes. While most people believe this to be a natural
occurrence, pet waste found in our water poses serious health and environmental
threats. Common diseases caused by pet waste include:
Salmonellosis
Toxocariasis
Toxoplasmosis
Salmonellosis is the most common human bacterial infection caused by pets.
Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Toxocariasis is caused by roundworms, usually coming from dogs. There can be
unnoticeable symptoms as well as vision loss, rashes, fever, and coughing.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasite carried by cats, which can cause birth defects.
Tips for Your
Lawn & Garden
Pet waste also creates problems for the environment by promoting a burst of algae
and weed growth, which eventually robs aquatic life of oxygen.
Keep Our Waters Clean:
Picking Up After
Your Pet
Always pick up pet waste! You can either wrap up the waste and dispose of it in
the trash, or you can bury pet waste in your yard. If you choose to bury pet waste,
make sure to bury it at least 8 inches deep in various spots, and never close to
gardens or bodies of water.
Volunteer – Mark
Our Storm Drains!
*Facts on pet waste were taken from information provided by the MARC.
Volunteer!
Mark Our Storm Drains!
What is Stormwater
Pollution?
Effects of
Stormwater
Pollution
You Can Help:
Tips for Your Car
Tips for Your
Lawn & Garden
Picking Up After
Your Pet
Manhattan’s Stormwater Program has goals in six areas, including public
involvement and participation. To meet this goal, we are asking local
organizations to help us mark our storm drains.
If your organization is interested in working on this project, the City of Manhattan
will provide your group with all the necessary materials – we only ask that you
donate your time.
Volunteer – Mark
Our Storm Drains!
Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or other volunteering ideas you
have by emailing us at [email protected] or calling (785) 587-2441.
Your interest and assistance in our stormwater program is appreciated!