Stormwater Runs to Local Waterways Untreated

Turkey Creek Kansas River & Missouri River Merge

Stormwater Runoff Management

Illustration from Mid America Regional Council

Stormwater Runoff

• Water falls as rain, snow, or ice. Most seeps into ground.

• If ground is saturated, frozen, or has paved surfaces, water flows & is called stormwater runoff.

Stormwater Flows over surfaces such as roads, driveways and parking lots.

Where does Stormwater Go?

• Stormwater flows to storm drains along streets.

• It may carry soil, pet waste, oil, pesticides, & other pollutants with it.

• This polluted runoff goes to streams & lakes untreated. Stormwater goes into storm drains and

pollutants flow untreated into local streams, rivers & lakes.

Sediment Pollution

• Sediment comes from soil erosion & from decomposition of plants and animals.

• Sediment will make streams & lakes cloudy.

• Sediment is the most common pollutant.

Sediment has flowed to storm drain and closed it from functioning.

How Can I Reduce Sediment Runoff?

• Avoid mowing 10-15 feet of creek or stream. This will minimize erosion & help filter sediment.

• Sweep driveways, don’t hose them off. Otherwise sediment flows to storm drain.

Don’t mow right up to stream bed

Oil & Auto Fluid Pollution

• E.P.A. estimates that 200 million gallons of oil are improperly disposed each year.

• One quart of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

Oil illegally dumped flows untreated to area streams, rivers, and lakes.

How Can I Reduce Oil Runoff?

• Fix vehicles that are leaking fluids.

• If you change your own oil, store it in a container and dispose of properly.

• Wyandotte County residents use HHW site.For Info call 913-573-5400

Dispose of your Oil & Auto fluids properly.

Septic System Pollution

• E.P.A. estimates that 25% of homes use septic systems.

• Over 4 billion gallons of wastewater per day is dispersed below ground thru septic systems.

Liquids surfacing from non functioning septic system.

How Can I Reduce Septic Runoff?

• Have septic system pumped regularly.

• Fix any faulty septic system.

• Fix faulty toilets to save water going thru system.

• Do laundry over several days so you don’t send water to system at once.Do your washing over several days.

Lawn Chemical Pollution

• Lawn chemicals are fertilizers, herbicides, & insecticides.

• Over application can cause toxic levels of chemicals & excessive nutrient runoff.

Would you walk with bare feet in your lawn?

How Can I Reduce Lawn Chemical Runoff?

• Conduct a soil test.

• Don’t over fertilize.

• Use chemicals according to the instructions.

• Landscape with native plants. Consider using compost on your lawn

Pet Waste Pollution

• Each rain, thousands of pounds of pet waste flows into local streams.

• U.S. Geological Survey showed 25% of bacteria in area K.C. streams is caused by pet waste.

Flier from Mid America Regional Council, KC Mo.

How Can I Reduce Pet Waste Runoff?

• Pickup pet waste from your yard.

• When walking your pet pickup after them.

• Involve home owner’s association. Education to residents from an

area home owner’s association.

Car Wash Pollution

• If you wash your car on your driveway, polluted water flows to storm drain.

• Pollutants can include soap, detergents, salt, rust, motor oils, and fluids. Water flows to storm drains

How Can I Reduce Car Wash Runoff?

• Use commercial car wash. • If you wash car at home,

wash on area that will absorb water.

• Use biodegradable, phosphate-free, water based cleaners.

• Empty wash bucket into sink or toilet. Use a Commercial Car Wash

Litter and Trash Pollution

• Trash and litter is carried off to storm drains.

• Keep America Beautiful indentifies cigarette litter as the #1 littered item.

Trash & Litter carried off to block storm drain.

How Can I Reduce Litter & Trash Runoff?

• Don’t litter.

• Participate in a neighborhood litter cleanup event.

• Pickup litter in your own yard.

Participate in a Neighborhood Cleanup.

Yard Waste Pollution

• Leaves & grass clippings are blown into the streets.

• Water & wind carry them to storm drains.

• Not only can they clog drains, they adversely affect oxygen levels in local waterways.

Leaves blocking flow of water into storm drain.

How Can I Reduce Yard Waste Runoff?

• Never blow leaves or grass clippings into street.

• Consider using a mulch mower and leave clippings and leaves on the yard.

• Consider backyard composting. Consider Using a Mulch Mower

Stormwater Runoff Management

What Can I Do To Help?

•Sweep your driveway off.•Dispose of oil & automotive fluids proper and legally.•Maintain septic systems. •Don’t over fertilize yard.•Pickup pet waste•Use a commercial car wash. •Pick up litter and trash.•Don’t blow yard clippings and leaves into the streets.

Help Keep our Waterways Cleaner

Wyandotte County Lake