- Homeowners
- Do-It-Yourself Remodelers
- Do-It-Yourself Painters
- Do-It-Yourself Landscapers
Creek, River and Ocean Pollution Prevention: Its Up to Us
Santa Rosa has two drainage systems-the sanitary sewers and the storm drains. The storm drain system was designed to prevent flooding by carrying excess rainwater away from city streets out to local creeks, the Russian River and the ocean. Because the system contains no filters, it now serves the unintended function of carrying urban pollution straight to our waterways.
This pamphlet tells you how to prevent pollution from "storm water" or "urban runoff".
Rain, industrial and household water mixed with urban pollutants creates storm water pollution. The pollutants include: oil and other automotive fluids, paint and construction debris, yard and pet wastes, pesticides and litter.
Urban runoff pollution contaminates the waterways, closes beaches, harms aquatic life and increases the risk of inland flooding by clogging gutters and catch basins. Overall, storm water pollution costs the Sonoma County economy.
These Best Management Practices (BMP's) will ensure cleaner waterways and cities.
A. Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Household toxics-such as common household cleaners, paint products and motor oil-can pollute the ocean and poison the groundwater if not disposed of as hazardous waste.
Take your household chemicals and toxics to a local Household Toxics Roundup.
For a schedule of Household Toxics Roundups, call the ECO- DESK HOTLINE 527-3375, instead of dumping them on the ground, down the sink or storm drain, or in the garbage.
B. Concrete & Masonry
Fresh concrete and mortar application materials can wash down or blow into the street, gutter or storm drain, posing a hazard to aquatic life and humans.
- Don't mix up more fresh concrete or cement than you will use.
- Store bags of cement and plaster under cover, protected from rainfall, runoff and wind, and away from gutters and storm drains.
- Never dispose of cement washout or concrete dust onto driveways, streets, gutters or storm drains. Wash out over dirt instead.
C. Painting
All paints and solvents contain chemicals that are harmful to aquatic life. Toxic chemicals can come from liquid or solid products or from cleaning residues on rags. It is especially important to prevent these chemicals from entering storm drains.
Paint Cleanup
Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers into a street, gutter or storm drain. Back yard drains also flow to storm drains and creeks.
-
For oil-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible. Clean with thinner and then filter and reuse thinner, or bring to Household Toxics Roundup.
-
For water-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible then rinse in the sink.
- When thoroughly dry, used brushes, empty paint cans (lids off), rags and drop cloths may be disposed of as trash.
Paint Removal
- Chemical paint stripping residue, including saturated rags, is hazardous waste and should be taken to a Household Toxics Roundup.
- Chips and dust from marine paints or paints containing lead or tributyl tin are also hazardous wastes. Sweep them up and save them for a Household Toxics Roundup.
Paint Recycling:
- Reuse leftover paint for touch-ups or bring it to a Household Toxics Roundup where it will be recycled.
D. Landscaping & Gardening
Intensive gardening and landscaping increase the likelihood that garden chemicals and soil will wash into storm drains. Pesticides and herbicides not only kill garden invaders, they also harm insects, poison fish and contaminate ground and ocean water.
- Use organic or non-toxic fertilizer and pesticides. Do not fertilize or use pesticides near ditches, gutters or storm drains.
- Store pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals in a covered area to prevent runoff.
- Do not blow, sweep or rake leaves into the street, gutter or storm drain. Decomposition of these materials reduces oxygen levels in the waterways.
- Recycle yard waste by placing leaves, clippings and pruning waste for pick up in approved containers. For further information call the ECO-DESK HOTLINE at 527-3375.
- Conserve water by using drip irrigation, soaker hoses, or micro-spray systems.
E. Construction
Sediment, from excavation and other construction projects, is the most common pollutant washed from work sites. Sediment entering our waterways through storm drains harms sea life and disrupts the food chain upon which both fish and people depend.
General Practices
- Keep all construction debris away from the street, gutter, and storm drain. Look for and clean up material that may have traveled away from your property.
- Keep materials out of the rain by storing them indoors or with a secure roof or plastic sheeting.
Erosion Control
- Schedule grading and excavation projects for dry weather.
- Cover excavated material and stock piles of asphalt, sand, etc. with plastic tarps.
- Prevent erosion by planting fast-growing annual and perennial grasses. These will shield and bind the soil.
Recycle
Use a crushing company to recycle cement, asphalt and porcelain rather than taking them to a landfill. Call the ECO-DESK HOTLINE at 527-3375.
STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM RESOURCE GUIDE
SPILLS AND DUMPING IN STORM DRAINS AND CREEKS
EMERGENCY SPILL SITUATION
TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
GASOLINE - ANTIFREEZE - OIL - PAINT - ETC.
CITY OR COUNTY: 9-1-1
NON-EMERGENCY SPILL SITUATION
NON TOXIC OR NON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
CITY: 543-3881 (FIELD SERVICES)
COUNTY: 525-6565 (ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH)
TO REPORT CLOGGED STORM DRAINS OR DITCHES
CITY: 543-3881 (PUBLIC WORKS)
COUNTY: 524-7280 (PUBLIC WORKS)
|
ECO - DESK HOTLINE
527-DESK (3375) |
| For more information on RECYCLING call the ECO-DESK. They have many listings and ideas. |
This brochure is one of a series of pamphlets describing storm drain protection measures for construction projects. Other pamphlets include:
Rev. April 1998