Awareness Program: Stormwater Pollution & Prevention

Stormwater Pollution

RRWA would like to remind you that only rain belongs in the storm drain. In most urban and suburban areas, the ground is unable to fully absorb rainfall from a storm. To prevent this unabsorbed water from causing floods, most cities and towns have storm drain systems to convey stormwater out of streets and developed areas and into nearby waterways. A storm drain system consists of gutters, curb inlets, and underground pipes.

The storm drain system is not the same as the sanitary sewer system. Water and waste in the sanitary sewer system are conveyed to a treatment plant, whereas water in the storm drain system is often discharged directly to waterways without treatment.

Because stormwater is discharged directly into creeks, rivers or the ocean, it is very important to ensure that the water is not polluted before it enters the storm drain. The "drains to river" marker appears next to many storm drain inlets throughout the Russian River area to remind people that only rain belongs in the storm drain.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention

The list below outlines ten actions you can take to prevent stormwater pollution

 1) Avoid using pesticides in your yard. The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency and Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority websites provide great tips for less-toxic pest management. The Russian River Friendly Landscape Guidelines describe landscaping and pest control pratices to minimize the use of pesticides.

Related Environmental Columns:

Your Russian River Watershed Garden (4/11)

Integrated Pest Management (8/06)

 2) Minimize or eliminate use of fertilizer. Though generally not toxic, fertilizers can still harm the environment if carried to creeks and rivers by stormwater. The Russian River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines describe how to "grow your soil" into a nutrient bank, thus minimizing the need for added fertilizers.

 3) Don’t pour cooking grease down the sink. Cooking grease poured down the sink drains can block sewer pipelines when it congeals and cause sewer backups and overflows into the street (or your house) and potentially into the storm drain. For more information about proper disposal of cooking grease, see RRWA’s Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Program.

Related Environmental Columns:

Can the Grease: Protecting Your Environment and Your Water (11/10)

From the Pan, to the Can: Keep Grease Out of the Drain! (11/08)

 4) Don’t litter. Trash left in streets or driveways will likely end up in a storm drain and eventually a creek. To learn more about the importance of keeping litter out of the storm drain see related environmental column below.

Related Environmental Columns:

Properly Secure Your Loads - Mendocino County (4/09)

Properly Secure Your Loads - Sonoma County (4/09) 

Talking Trash: The Lowdown on Litter (1/08)

Trash in the Street Gets in the Creek (10/06)

 5) Dispose of pet waste properly. Pet waste is typically high in nutrients and bacteria. Pet waste should be deposited into the toilet or trash.

Related Environmental Columns:

Care For Your Public Parks This Summer (5/09)

Pick Up After Your Pets (2/07)

 6) Wash your car at a car wash. Detergents are harmful to aquatic life. Most carwash facilities either connect to the sanitary sewer system or treat and recycle the wash water on-site.

Related Environmental Columns:

Wash Your Car Responsibly! (8/10)

 7) Keep your car properly maintained and leak free. Leaking vehicle fluids that drip onto the street or your driveway may be washed into the storm drain by rain. Vehicle fluids, such as motor oil and anti-freeze are harmful to aquatic life.

Related Environmental Columns:

Used Motor Oil (6/10)

 8) Properly dispose of household toxics such as paints, oils, grease, fluorescent bulbs, batteries and chemicals. For more information about disposal of household toxics, see the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency and Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority.

Related Environmental Columns:

Keep Your Fluorescent Bulbs and CFLs Out of the Trash: Recycle Them! (2/11)

Street Sweepers Keep Streets and Waterways Clean (9/10)

Hazardous Materials Spill Response (4/10)

No Drugs Down the Drain (9/09)

Holiday Recycling in the Russian River Watershed (12/09)

Keep Mendocino Clean: Illegal Dumping (2/09)

 9) Properly store household toxics. Make sure that household toxics are stored in dry areas and properly contained so as to prevent spills.

Related Environmental Columns:

Street Sweepers Keep Streets and Waterways Clean (9/10)

Hazardous Materials Spill Response (4/10)

10) Reduce stormwater runoff from your property. Capture rooftop runoff using rain barrels. The captured water can then be used to irrigate your lawn/garden during drier months. Screen to keep mosquitoes out. The less pavement you have on your property, the less stormwater runoff you will generate. Consider replacing your concrete driveway with a pervious surface.

Related Environmental Columns:

Rainwater Harvesting  - Mendocino County (12/10)

Rainwater Harvesting - Sonoma County (12/10)

Rainwater Harvesting and Graywater Use (8/09)

Stormwater Runoff: Preparing for the Rainy Season (9/08)

Put a LID on it! Stormwater Projects for Your Home (9/07)