STORMWATER
                                                                            Stormwater in New England
                                                        FACING  PROBLEMS
                                                you  can do  as
                                                   a  Citizen
                          U.S.  EPA  |   STORMWATER OUTREACH  AT  EPA  NEW  ENGLAND
            STORMWATER  is a leading cause of poor water quality. Rain or
             me/ted snow runs down driveways, sidewalks  and streets carrying oil,  dirt
              and other pollutants  into nearby waterways. Polluted runoff, which  can
              cause erosion and flooding, runs into waterways and degrades plants, fish,
              shellfish  and other wildlife.  In water used for recreation,  the runoff can
              lead to illness, and people who eat contaminated fish can also become sick.
             Untreated storm water can also contaminate drinking water sources.
                                          IRIiiir
INTRO:
Whether you live in a rural farmhouse or a 21-story apartment building, you have a role to play in reducing the amount of
pollution from stormwater that runs into our rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater. The wax you manage your property,
your pets waste, your garbage, or even your municipal taxes will affect the pollution from stormwater runoff. Below are
some suggestions for how you, as an individual, can reduce your impact on stormwater and the environment.
TO  DO YOUR  PART:
Take steps in your home landscaping
  • Rain barreh—Rainwater can becollectedfrom rooftops
and used later on gardens. Rain barrels conserve water and
reduce the amount of water that runs off/our land.

  • Ruin gardens — Rain gardens planted with native plants
can naturally offset the effects of stormwater runoff! Rain-
water diverted to these areas from rooftops or paved areas
will either be used by plants or will soak into the ground
thereby recharging aquifers. Plants along roads or streams
can trap stormwater pollution.

  * Lawn core— Fertilizers and pesticides wash off gardens
and pollute streams. Yard waste, such as leaves  and grass
dippings, can wash into storm drains; adding nutrients to
streams. Avoid owerwatering your lawn and use  pesticides
and fertilizers sparingly and organic mulch when possible.
Compost or mulch yard waste so it doesn't go into storm
drains or streams. Cover piles of dirt or mulch.

  •  faying surfaces — Reduce the amount of  pavement
where you live.  Brick walks, gravel driveways and porous
concrete allow rainwater to run back into the ground to be
filtered. Porous surfaces also replenish aquifers. Traditional
concrete and asphalt rely on drains; pipes and other infra-
structure to divert and control stormwater. The amount of
non-porous surfaces is directly related to the health of rivers
and lakes.

Maintain septic systems — Leaking septic systems release
nutrients, bacteria and viruses into stormwater. Inspect your
system every three years and pump your tank as necessary
(every three to five years). Don't  dispose of household
hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

Use care with your car — If you wash your car at home,
avoid using excess detergents or chemicals. Wash the car in
your yard so wash water containing detergents seeps into
the ground rather than into storm sewers or septic systems
or use commercial car washes because they treat or recycle
wastewater. Also, don't clean auto parts at home. Dumping
car fluids into storm drains or on a street is like dumping
them into a pond or river.

Manage pet waste — Gean up after your dog in cities and
mate sure waste is left far from water sources in rural areas.
Flushing pet waste down the toilet is the best method. Leav-
ing pet waste on the ground or throwing it into the storm
drain increases public health risks because pet waste bacte-
ria drains into nearby waterways.

Support your municipal program — Support local efforts
to manage stormwater. Support repairs or improvements
ta your town or city's infrastructure. Allowing your town
or city's infrastructure to erode will cost more money in the
long run and create more pollution. Watch for notices about
street sweeping programs.

Handle household waste carefully — Recyde or properly
dispose of toxic products, induding pesticides, paint, solvents
and used oil. Don't pour them onto the ground or into
storm drains. Use green deaning products.
KEY CONTACTS:


MYRA SCHWARTZ
EPA New England
Assistance & Pollution Prevention
(617)918-1696
Schwartz, my ra@e pa .gov

LEAH O'NEILL
EPA New England
Watershed & Nonpoint
Source Unit
(617) 918-1633
oneil.leah@epa.gov


GENERAL  INFO:


EPA NEW ENGLAND
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA0210?-3912
(617)918-1111
www. epa.gov/region1/

EPA TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-888-EPA-7341

LEARN MORE  ATt
www.epa.gov/region1/
topics/water/stormwater.html
               United Ststas
               Environmental Protection
              k Agency
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                                                                  EPA-901-F-10-013
                                                                    November 2010

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