WHEN IT RAINS
   For more information contact:
           or visit
   www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater
        www.epa.gov/nps
ternet Address (URL) • HITP://www.epa.gov
ecycled/Recyclable • Printed With Vegetable
Oil Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer.
Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
       United States
       Environmental Pi
      I Agency
EPA 833-B-03-002
January 2003
                                                  After  the
                                                                                  Sformwafer

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                                                                                Polluted stormwater runoff can have
                                                                                many adverse effects on plants, fish,
                                                                                animals, and people.
           • -..
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation
from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground.
Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks
and streets prevent stormwater from
naturally soaking into the ground.
                   \-    :    -
Stormwater 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 providing
drinking water.
Sediment can cloud the water
and make it difficult or
impossible for aquatic plants to
grow. Sediment also can
destroy aquatic habitats.

Excess 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.

Bacteria and other pathogens can wash
into swimming areas and  create health
hazards, often making beach closures
necessary.

Debris—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.

Household  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.

                                    »  Polluted stormwater often
                                       affects drinking water
                                       sources. This, in turn, can
                                       affect human health and
                                       increase drinking water
                                       treatment costs.

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Lawn care

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

» Don't overwater your lawn. Consider
  using a soaker hose instead of a
  sprinkler.

» 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.

» Compost or mulch yard waste. Don't
  leave it in the street or sweep it into
  storm drains or streams.

» Cover piles of dirt or mulch being
  used in landscaping projects.
                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

                » 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.
Septic
systems

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

» Inspect your system every
  3 years and pump your
  tank as necessary (every 3
  to 5 years).

» Don't dispose of
  household hazardous
  waste in sinks or toilets.
Pet waste

Pet waste can be
a major source of
bacteria and
excess nutrients
in local waters.
  When 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.
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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 stormwater 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 stormwater
picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.

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                              Dirt, oil, and debris that collect in
                              parking lots and paved areas can be
                              washed into the storm sewer system
                              and eventually enter local
                              waterbodies.
                              » Sweep up litter and debris from
                               sidewalks, driveways and parking lots,
                               especially around storm drains.

                              » Cover grease storage and dumpsters
                               and keep them clean to avoid leaks.

                              » Report any chemical spill to the local
                               hazardous waste cleanup team.
                               They'll know the best way to keep
                               spills from harming the environment.
Erosion controls that aren't maintained can cause
excessive amounts of sediment and debris to be
carried into the stormwater system. Construction
vehicles can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful  fluids
that can be picked up by stormwater and
deposited into local waterbodies.

» Divert stormwater away from disturbed or
  exposed areas of the construction site.

» Install silt fences, vehicle mud removal areas,
  vegetative cover, and other sediment and
  erosion controls and properly maintain them
  especially after rainstorms.

» Prevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed
  areas during construction projects, and seed
  and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.
                    Lack of vegetation on streambanks can lead to erosion. Overgrazed pastures can also
                    contribute excessive amounts of sediment to  local waterbodies. Excess fertilizers and
                    pesticides can poison aquatic animals and lead to destructive algae blooms. Livestock in
                    streams can contaminate waterways with bacteria, making them unsafe for human contact.

                                                    » Keep livestock away from streambanks and provide
                                                     them a water source away from waterbodies.

                                                     Store and apply manure away from waterbodies and in
                                                     accordance with a nutrient management plan.

                                                     Vegetate  riparian areas along waterways.

                                                     Rotate animal grazing to prevent soil erosion in fields.

                                                     Apply fertilizers and pesticides according to label
                                                     instructions to save money and minimize pollution.
                                      Improperly managed logging operations can result in erosion and
                                      sedimentation.

                                      » Conduct preharvest planning to prevent erosion and lower costs.

                                      » Use logging methods and equipment that minimize soil disturbance.

                                      » Plan and design skid trails, yard areas, and truck access roads to
                                        minimize stream crossings and avoid disturbing the forest floor.

                                      » Construct stream crossings so that they minimize erosion and physical
                                        changes to streams.

                                      » Expedite revegetation of cleared areas.
                                     Uncovered fueling stations allow spills to be
                                     washed into storm drains. Cars waiting to be
                                     repaired can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful
                                     fluids that can be picked up by stormwater.

                                     » Clean up spills immediately and properly
                                       dispose of cleanup materials.

                                     » Provide cover over fueling stations and
                                       design or retrofit facilities for spill
                                       containment.

                                     » Properly maintain fleet vehicles to prevent
                                       oil, gas,  and other discharges from being
                                       washed into local waterbodies.

                                     » Install and maintain oil/water separators.

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