Preventing Storm Water Pollution: What We Can Do

Preventing Storm Water Pollution: What We Can Do

Question and Answer Game

PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH THE Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ANDPREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH THE Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ANDU.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYU.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

The preparation of this report was financed through grants from theThe preparation of this report was financed through grants from theU.S Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.U.S Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Storm SurvivorStorm Survivor Rules….. Rules…..Remember…..Remember….. is watching…….

Your can kill you …….…AND

You must overcome your……

to be a ……

VideoVideo

Storm SurvivorStorm Survivor QuestionQuestion

Why is it important to protect Why is it important to protect water quality?water quality?

Storm SurvivorStorm Survivor AnswerAnswer

We depend on clean water for:We depend on clean water for:

•Drinking waterDrinking water

•Recreation – boating, fishing, Recreation – boating, fishing, swimmingswimming

•Economic development Economic development


How does storm water runoff How does storm water runoff cause water pollution?cause water pollution?


Storm water runoff picks up Storm water runoff picks up pollutants such as oil, grease, pollutants such as oil, grease, dirt, and chemicals and flows dirt, and chemicals and flows directly into streams or lakes. directly into streams or lakes. Storm water runoff does not Storm water runoff does not go to a water treatment plant!go to a water treatment plant!


What problems can result from What problems can result from pollution in storm water runoff?pollution in storm water runoff?


Pollution from storm water can Pollution from storm water can cause:cause:

•Excess algae growthExcess algae growth

•Fish killsFish kills

•More expensive treatment for More expensive treatment for drinking waterdrinking water

Materials Materials Storage and Storage and Spill CleanupSpill Cleanup


What materials are used that What materials are used that could contaminate storm could contaminate storm

water?water?


Some materials that can cause storm Some materials that can cause storm water pollution are:water pollution are:

•Fuels, oils, antifreeze, and greaseFuels, oils, antifreeze, and grease

•Fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticidesFertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides

•Paint, solvents, detergentsPaint, solvents, detergents

•Soil (sediment), concrete wash waterSoil (sediment), concrete wash water


Why is it important to keep Why is it important to keep materials in original containers materials in original containers or clearly labeled replacement or clearly labeled replacement containers?containers?


It is important to store It is important to store materials in properly labeled materials in properly labeled containers to avoid misuse of containers to avoid misuse of products that could cause products that could cause personal injury and pollute personal injury and pollute storm water.storm water.


What is the best location for What is the best location for storage of hazardous storage of hazardous

materials?materials?


Hazardous materials should be Hazardous materials should be stored:stored:

•IndoorsIndoors

•Outdoors: within a covered, paved Outdoors: within a covered, paved areaarea

•Outdoors: uncovered if contained in Outdoors: uncovered if contained in a sealed containera sealed container


What are the basic steps for What are the basic steps for cleaning up a liquid spill?cleaning up a liquid spill?


Liquid spill cleanup procedures:Liquid spill cleanup procedures:• Contain the spill using a drip pan or absorbent Contain the spill using a drip pan or absorbent

materialsmaterials• Cover storm drains if necessaryCover storm drains if necessary• Locate the source of the spill and stop further Locate the source of the spill and stop further

spillagespillage• Use absorbents rather than hosing down the areaUse absorbents rather than hosing down the area• Immediately dispose of absorbents in accordance Immediately dispose of absorbents in accordance

with procedureswith procedures

Parks and Parks and Grounds Grounds

MaintenanceMaintenance


Why do native and adapted Why do native and adapted plants require less water, plants require less water, fertilizer and pesticides?fertilizer and pesticides?


Native and adapted plants have Native and adapted plants have a natural tolerance to drought a natural tolerance to drought and poor soil conditions.and poor soil conditions.


Why is important to prevent Why is important to prevent irrigation water from running irrigation water from running

off grass or landscaped areas ? off grass or landscaped areas ?


It is important to reduce It is important to reduce irrigation runoff because:irrigation runoff because:

•Fertilizer, pesticides, and Fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides may be carried to herbicides may be carried to streams by the runoffstreams by the runoff

•Saves water!Saves water!


What weather-related factors What weather-related factors should be considered when should be considered when

determining whether it’s OK to determining whether it’s OK to apply pesticides or herbicides ? apply pesticides or herbicides ?


Don’t apply pesticides or Don’t apply pesticides or herbicides during windy herbicides during windy conditions or when rain is conditions or when rain is predicted within 24 hours.predicted within 24 hours.

Fleet Fleet MaintenanceMaintenance


Where should vehicle Where should vehicle maintenance activities be maintenance activities be

conducted?conducted?


Conduct all vehicle and Conduct all vehicle and equipment maintenance at equipment maintenance at designated locations, designated locations, preferably inside the shop or preferably inside the shop or outdoors on a paved, covered outdoors on a paved, covered surface.surface.


What potential pollutants do you What potential pollutants do you handle in your daily activitieshandle in your daily activities ??


Potential pollutants in fleet Potential pollutants in fleet maintenance facilities include maintenance facilities include used anti-freeze, motor oil, used anti-freeze, motor oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, solvents, detergents.fluid, solvents, detergents.

Others??Others??


What is the proper disposal What is the proper disposal method for fluids? method for fluids?


Proper disposal method for fluids:Proper disposal method for fluids:•Store them in separate containers Store them in separate containers

by type. by type.

•Make sure storage containers are Make sure storage containers are properly labeled and sealed.properly labeled and sealed.

•Never dispose in trash.Never dispose in trash.

Streets and Streets and Drainage Drainage

MaintenanceMaintenance


Why is sediment considered a Why is sediment considered a pollutant ?pollutant ?


Sediment is a pollutant because Sediment is a pollutant because it interferes with fish spawning it interferes with fish spawning and destroys the habitat of and destroys the habitat of aquatic organisms.aquatic organisms.


Why should oil-based paint and Why should oil-based paint and solvents be handled differently solvents be handled differently

than water-based paint?than water-based paint?


Oil based paints contain higher Oil based paints contain higher levels of toxic, harmful levels of toxic, harmful chemicals than latex paints. chemicals than latex paints. Oil based paint and solvents Oil based paint and solvents must be disposed as must be disposed as hazardous waste.hazardous waste.


What are some signs of pollution What are some signs of pollution to look for when conducting to look for when conducting

daily activities?daily activities?


• Look for signs of pollution at the Look for signs of pollution at the jobsite and during travel:jobsite and during travel:– Oil sheen on water surfaceOil sheen on water surface– Excess trash and debrisExcess trash and debris– OdorOdor– Colored or cloudy waterColored or cloudy water– Dead or dying fishDead or dying fish

Land Land DisturbancesDisturbances


Why is sediment considered a Why is sediment considered a pollutant ?pollutant ?


Sediment is a pollutant because Sediment is a pollutant because it interferes with fish spawning it interferes with fish spawning and destroys the habitat of and destroys the habitat of aquatic organisms.aquatic organisms.


What precautions should be What precautions should be used regarding dirt stockpiles?used regarding dirt stockpiles?


•Locate dirt stockpiles out of the Locate dirt stockpiles out of the street and away from runoff or street and away from runoff or flowing water.flowing water.

•Cover stockpiles or provide a Cover stockpiles or provide a barrier such as an organic filter barrier such as an organic filter berm or silt fence around the pile.berm or silt fence around the pile.


Why is erosion prevention more Why is erosion prevention more effective than sediment effective than sediment

removal?removal?


Once the soil has eroded and is Once the soil has eroded and is carried by storm water, it is carried by storm water, it is very difficult to remove the very difficult to remove the sediment from the runoff. sediment from the runoff. Preventing erosion in the first Preventing erosion in the first place is the best approach.place is the best approach.


What BMPs can be used for What BMPs can be used for preventing erosion?preventing erosion?


• Erosion Control BMPs:Erosion Control BMPs:– VegetationVegetation - grasses or other plants that - grasses or other plants that

provide provide ““permanentpermanent”” erosion protection. erosion protection.– MulchingMulching - a layer of straw or wood mulch. - a layer of straw or wood mulch.– Erosion control blanketsErosion control blankets - mesh matting - mesh matting

made of straw, wood fiber, or plastic. made of straw, wood fiber, or plastic. – Plastic sheetingPlastic sheeting - may be used for short-term - may be used for short-term

protection of disturbed areas or dirt protection of disturbed areas or dirt stockpiles.stockpiles.

Solid Waste Solid Waste OperationsOperations


What types of materials are What types of materials are considered hazardous waste?considered hazardous waste?


Examples of hazardous wastes Examples of hazardous wastes include:include: used batteriesused batteries solvents, fuelssolvents, fuels pesticides, herbicidespesticides, herbicides fireworks, ammunitionfireworks, ammunition pool chemicalspool chemicals fluorescent bulbs fluorescent bulbs


Why is it important not to pick Why is it important not to pick up hazardous wastes?up hazardous wastes?


Hazardous wastes must not be Hazardous wastes must not be collected with regular trash collected with regular trash because they cannot be disposed because they cannot be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. of in a sanitary landfill.


What kinds of equipment and What kinds of equipment and materials can be used to materials can be used to

reduce storm water pollution?reduce storm water pollution?


Equipment and materials that can be Equipment and materials that can be used to reduce pollution include:used to reduce pollution include: BroomsBrooms ShovelsShovels Covered waste containersCovered waste containers AbsorbentsAbsorbents Pop-up poolsPop-up pools


What are some good What are some good housekeeping practices that housekeeping practices that can be used to reduce storm can be used to reduce storm

water pollution?water pollution?


Good housekeeping practices Good housekeeping practices include:include: Check vehicle frequently for Check vehicle frequently for

leaking fluids.leaking fluids. Contain spills using absorbents Contain spills using absorbents

and take steps to stop the leak if and take steps to stop the leak if possible.possible.

Immediately clean up spills.Immediately clean up spills.

Congratulations!!!! You are a………..Congratulations!!!! You are a………..

Documents

Preventing Storm Water Pollution: What We Can Do