Did you know that 40 percent of surveyed U.S. water bodies are impaired and do not meet water quality standards? (Surprise Arizona). That’s insane!
A leading source of this contamination is polluted stormwater runoff. Frequently used pollutants are pesticides, oils, fertilizers, trash, sediment, and other debris.
Here are a few best management practices that Homeowner’s and HOA’s can help to prevent stormwater pollution in our water sources:
Leaking Vehicles
if you have an oil leak, place a pan underneath it until you can get it fixed. Don’t let it leak and flow into the street. If it gets to the street, it will head towards the drains. It also pollutes stormwater runoff.
Oil Changing
We all know changingoil yourself saves time and money. But did you know it can be very harmful when it gets mixed intostormwater runoff? Here are a few helpful facts to help you dispose of your oil.
“It should never be dumped onto the ground, used for dust suppression or weed control. It should also never be poured into the Town’s storm drain system, which includes the streets, gutters, and retention basins. Oil is a natural resource. It takes 42 gallons of crude oil to make 2.5 quarts of motor oil.
It takes only 1 gallon of used oil to make 2.5 quarts of motor oil. Oil can be recycled through a process called re-refining. Many local automotive repair or oil changing businesses accepts used oil at no cost to you.
When changing your oil, use a drip pan to protect the Town’s storm drain system, which includes the street and gutters. Clean up any spill immediately using dry absorbent. Do not wash spilled material down the gutter” (Surprise Arizona).
Litter
Anything plastic, cigarette butts, paper, etc. can harm the environment. Not to mention, it’s not pretty, either. These pieces of litter can clog storm drains. Clogged drains provide the perfect breeding place for mosquitos, and I’m willing to bet NO ONE wants that!
Carpet Cleaning
Carpet cleaning solution CANNOT be dumped into sewers and street gutters. Most cleaners have chemicals in them. Because stormwater is not filtered, those chemicals stay in the water.
Hopefully, these examples give homeowners associations a good idea of how to help prevent pollution.
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