April Showers Bring... Pollution

A common source of pollution is stormwater runoff.   When the spring rains come pouring down, impervious surfaces such as parking lots, streets, and driveways prevent the water from soaking directly into the ground, and storm drains re-direct the water into not only sewer systems, but also lakes, streams, and underground aquifers instead of into the soil, which absorbs and filters the water before it leaches into the natural water systems.  And it’s not just rainwater being sent to our local watershed.   Pollutants including pesticides, oil, fertilizers, and other chemicals, not to mention trash and debris, get washed into the environment as well.

But what does this mean, and why should we care?

• Chemical fertilizers can increase the growth of algae in rivers, streams, and wetlands, which sucks the oxygen right out of the water.  Fish and other plants can’t survive in these situations.
• Excess soil and sediments cloud the water, preventing the growth of aquatic plants and destroying habitat.
• Trash of all kinds can choke, injure, and poison wildlife such as ducks, fish, beaver and turtles.
• Hazardous waste such as pesticides, solvents, soaps, automotive fluids, and other chemicals poison all manner of aquatic life.

It’s not just wildlife that’s affected either.  All of these pollutants can also affect residential water supplies, both municipal and private wells.  Fish that have been contaminated with pathogens, heavy metals, or chemicals can transfer those same pollutants to the people who eat them.  Our own pets can be affected in the same ways as the wildlife as well.

So what can we do to prevent runoff pollution?  The U.S. EPA recommends the following actions:

• 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.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
• If you have a septic system, inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary to prevent biological pathogen pollution.  Also, don't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.
• Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.  Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.
• When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. 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 water bodies.
• Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.

You can also design your landscaping to assist with stormwater management:

• Permeable pavement systems, or even just gravel driveways, allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing stormwater runoff.
• You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof rain barrels. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.
• Specially designed areas planted with native plants, called rain gardens, 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.

For more information, visit EPA or Great Lakes.org