Full Notification

What is stormwater runoff?

Stowmwater runoff occurs when precipitation flows over the ground. Sidewalks, driveways, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking the ground.

 Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
 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 water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

The Effects on Pollution

 Bacteria 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 water bodies 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.

Stormwater Pollution Solutions 

Residential
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.
 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 water bodies.
 
 Commercial
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.

 Construction 
Divert stormwater away from distributed 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 distributed areas during construction projects, and seed and mulch bare as soon as possible.
 
* Always remember if you see Illegal Dumping or an Illicit Discharge contact the City of New Port Richey Code Enforcement office 727-841-4550.