This document discusses various sources of storm water pollution and provides recommendations to reduce pollution entering waterways. It notes that storm water is not treated and carries many harmful materials directly into streams, lakes, and oceans. Some major pollutants identified are soil, fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and pet waste. The document then provides tips in areas such as limiting fertilizer use, preventing erosion, integrated pest management, proper yard trimmings disposal, cleaning up after pets, reducing driveway runoff, maintaining streamside buffers, proper waste disposal, and reducing household hazardous wastes. The overall message is that small individual actions can help improve water quality when adopted widely.

1. Water Pollution?
SOLUTION lies with our
attitude in day-to-day workings
Author: Partha Das Sharma, E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com
Website: http://saferenvironment.wordpress.com 1

2. Storm Water pollution
Storm water pollution refers to many
types of harmful materials that are
carried by water (rain water or wash
water) through the storm drain system
to creeks, lakes, rivers and ultimately
to the ocean.
Storm water is not treated in any way.
Storm water pollution has many
sources.
One of the most common is the illegal
dumping or spilling of wastes directly
into storm drains, like pouring used
motor oil or paint directly into a storm
drain.
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4. Storm
Drain
Storm drains deliver surface water run-off
directly to a stream
Major Pollutants:
Soil
Grass clippings
Fertilizers and Pesticides
Litter
Motor oil/ Auto Fluids
Pet waste
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5. Fertilizer
Limiting fertilizer use will avoid nutrient
overload in streams.
· Plant vegetation native to our area.
These are suited to the soil type, slope,
available sunlight, and climate.
· Prior to fertilizing, test soil to determine
what nutrients soil may need.
· Mow lawn 1/3 of the total grass height
only, mow when dry- with sharp mower
blades, and leave the clippings on the
lawn.
· During summer months, cut grass
higher to help retain soil moisture.
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6. Erosion
Sediment (clay, silt) is the #1 source
of water pollution. Bare soil easily
washes into storm drains and
streams, clouding the water and
suffocating aquatic life.
• Never leave soil exposed! Place
straw over newly seeded areas.
• Cover your garden during winter
months.
• Sod, seed, grow plants, or build
terraces on slopes.
• Rock gardens can also be effective
for slowing the flow of water and
minimizing erosion.
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7. Pest
Management
If a bug is killed in the lawn by pest, it
may kill fish in the stream also. Use
pesticides sparingly by practicing
“integrated pest management.”
1. PLAN FOR A HEALTHY LANDSCAPE
2. GET TO KNOW YOUR BUGS!
3. PHYSICAL/ BIO. CONTROLS
4. USE CHEMICALS SPARINGLY AND ONLY
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS!
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8. Yard
Trimmings
Yard trimmings should not be put
in a stream. Instead, compost
trimmings or take them to a local
composting program.
• Chop or shred waste into small
pieces.
• Add equal amounts of a carbon
source (dried material) to a nitrogen
source (green plant material).
• Turn the pile regularly and
maintain slight moisture.
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9. Pets
Scientists believe that fecal matter from
pets is a major source of bacteria in
urban waterways.
• Flush fecal material down the toilet or wrap
it up and place it in the trash.
• Restrict pets from streamside area.
• Control fleas with minimal pesticide use.
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10. Driveway
Reduce contaminant run-off from your
driveway!
• Do not wash oils or other spills down the
storm drain!
• Wash your car at a designated car wash
or (at least) wash with a low-phosphate
soap in an area where the water will soak
into the ground.
NEW CONSTRUCTION:
Use bricks with sand, stones, or paving
blocks instead of impermeable
pavement.
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11. Streamside
Streams should be kept healthy.
Control run-off contamination.
• Landscape yard to provide areas
where water will soak into the
ground.
• Leave 25’ buffer strips of thick,
native vegetation along streams.
• Pick up litter.
• Monitor your stream for pollutants
and help to determine the source.
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12. Recycling
and Waste
Disposal
Do not allow wastes to enter into
a storm drain or stream.
Contamination can injure or kill
fish and wildlife.
• Do not burn or bury trash.
• Reuse and recycle everything
possible.
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13. House
Hazardous
Wastes
Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW),
especially auto fluids, are a common
contaminant found in waterways. Never
pour products on the ground or down a
storm drain.
• Have your vehicle serviced at a garage
where fluids will be recycled or properly
disposed.
• If doing it yourself, recycle auto fluids, oil
filters, batteries, and tires.
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14. HHW
(Cont.)
Other examples of HHWs include:
Paint products/ fuels/ solvents/
pesticides/ and mercury-
containing products. Here’s what
you can do:
-1st REDUCE: Buy the least hazardous
and only the quantity that you will
use.
-2nd REUSE: Give it to someone to
use for its intended purpose.
-3rd RECYCLE leftover products
whenever possible.
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15. REDUCE, REUSE
and RECYCLE is
the most important
mantra of present
day for
Improvement of
ENVIRONMENT
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16. Ground Water
Contamination
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