What is Urban Runoff/Storm Water?
- Urban runoff is considered water originating from urban areas, including, but not limited to, rain, irrigation, wash water, and air conditioning condensate.
- Storm Water refers solely to water resulting from a storm event. However, many agencies still use the term"storm water" to refer to urban runoff.
Why is Storm Water an issue?
Over the last thirty years, water quality of our major American creeks and rivers has improved thanks to the creation of the Federal Clean Water Act. However, because our population and economy is expanding, the need for more neighborhoods, businesses, streets and other potentially polluting areas increase. Storm water or urban runoff, or the water that comes from rain, irrigation runoff, swimming pool discharges, car washing, or other activities, is the leading cause of beach closures and water-quality impairment in the San Diego Region. Coastal cities as well as inland cities rely on clean water, particularly clean beaches, to support the local economy and ensure people's safety when swimming, surfing or playing in the water.
What's so important about Storm Drains?
By now, most people have at least heard the term "storm drain" but may not know what it means.
A storm drain starts as a catch basin in the street and its purpose is to catch rainwater and carry it away via a storm drain pipe from developed areas to prevent flooding. That makes storm drains pretty important!
However, storm drains also catch pollutants like oil from our cars, chemicals from landscape watering and swimming pools and a variety of other pollutants that wash down the street and into the storm drain. The water that goes into the storm drains flows directly into our creeks, lagoons and oceans, WITHOUT treatment. Storm drains are NOT connected to sanitary sewer systems and treatment plants. The untreated water and the pollutants it carries, flow directly into our creeks, lagoons and ocean.
Debris at entrance to storm drain
In recent years, sources of water pollution like industrial waters from factories have been greatly reduced. Unfortunately, the majority of water pollution now occurs from things like cars leaking oil, fertilizers from farms and gardens, failing septic tanks, pet waste and residential car washing flowing into the storm drains and ultimately into the ocean and waterways.
All these sources add up to a pollution problem. But each of us can do our part to help clean up our water and that adds up to a pollution solution!
Storm Drains Not Connected to Sewer Pipes
We all contribute to the pollution of our creeks and lakes by allowing pollutants to enter our storm drains. Storm drains are pipe systems that prevent flooding of our streets by channeling storm water directly to our creeks and lakes. Anything that flows into the storm drains ends up in our creeks untreated. Storm drains are not connected to our sewer pipe system, which takes wastewater from homes and businesses and treats it at wastewater treatment plants.
Storm water pollutants come from many different sources: leaking cars, chemicals, building materials, yard waste, soil erosion, and litter. The good news is that storm water pollution is preventable.
You Can Help Protect Watersheds
You are the solution to the pollution. By following simple practices at home and at work, you can prevent runoff and the pollutants it carries from entering the storm drain system.
 |
Avoid over-irrigation, which washes fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and gardens into the gutter and storm drains. |
|
Sweep up yard waste and debris and dump it in a trash can instead of using a hose to wash off sidewalks, parking areas and garages. |
|
When washing your car at home, use soap sparingly and pour your bucket of soapy water down the sink when you're done, not in the street. |
|
Be sure to clean up after your pets. |
|
Use non-toxic products for household cleaning. |
As concerned residents, we simply need to work together and change a few habits to benefit our health, our families and our community. Remember, every bit of pollution hurts.
Courtesy of: City of Carlsbad, City of Oceanside and City of Escondido
