STORMWATER INFORMATION
Stormwater, (also written "storm water"), is water that originates from precipitation, such as rain and melted snow. Stormwater can soak into the soil and become groundwater, or it can end up in ponds and puddles, evaporate back into the atmosphere, or contribute to surface runoff. Storm sewers and ditches collect stormwater runoff and empty it into nearby streams, rivers or wetlands. Ideally, stormwater runoff would be free of contaminants. But in reality, it picks up pollutants such as animal waste, pesticides, fertilizers, salt, oil and grease, soil and debris and transports them to waterways where they are discharged without treatment. This is stormwater pollution.
What is “Illicit Discharge?”
An illicit discharge is any discharge to a municipal storm sewer system - storm drains, pipes, and ditches - that is not composed entirely of storm water. Pollutants end up in storm sewer systems in a number of ways, many of which are easily preventable. In some instances, companies or residences have waste pipes tapped into stormwater pipes. In other cases, individuals use the storm drain inlets to dispose of various types of waste.
Disposal of anything other than storm water in storm sewers is illegal!
What You Should Know About Lawn Fertilizer
Storm water runoff from yards in which fertilizers have been misapplied, by such practices as using too much or spreading onto sidewalks or driveways, will flow into storm drains that lead to neighborhood storm water ponds and local creeks. The nutrients in the fertilizer will pollute this storm water and will often contribute to unsightly algae blooms in local neighborhood storm water ponds, frequently resulting in obnoxious odors when this algae dies off and decays. Eventually, this nutrient-polluted water will make its way to Lake Ontario and contribute to the algae problems found at Ontario Beach. Homeowners can take action to reduce these impacts and help protect water quality by ensuring that ONLY ZERO PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZERS are applied to their lawns, as well as SWEEPING UP fertilizer that ends up on sidewalks and driveways. Most soils in Monroe County already have sufficient phosphorus to support a healthy lawn. Applying fertilizers only once a year in the fall, the most important time of the year to fertilize, will also greatly reduce the amount of nutrients reaching our local waterways. Recognizing the serious impacts of fertilizers on water quality, New York State has recently passed a law which prohibits phosphorus in fertilizers for established lawns starting in 2012. This law also requires that fertilizer put on impervious surfaces be picked up.
So get a jump start on these future legal requirements and start protecting our local water bodies today!
Courtesy of
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Courtesy of
Santa Fe County Public Works Dept
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Courtesy of
City of Portage, Michigan
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To report minor spills contact Jeff Pearce at (585) 392-9632, if after hours leave a message stating what spill or illicit discharge, address of problem, call back number for us to contact. Or for large spills call New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267).
More information on Illicit Stormwater Discharges
The Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County
Stormwater MS4 Joint Annual Report
Be an H2O Hero
Learn about the enormous impact you can have on Monroe County water quality...
Also, a word to Dog Owners...
We all love to take our dogs out for a stroll around the neighborhood, but please be sure to dispose of animal waste properly. Canine owners are required to clean up immediately after their pets on public sidewalks, roads, and gutters.
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