Perry Township Government, Lake County, Ohio

A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING STORM WATER!

What is Storm Water Runoff?

Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Did you know that because of impervious surfaces like pavement and rooftops, a typical downtown block generates more than 5 times more runoff than a woodland area of the same size?

Why is Storm Water Runoff a Problem?

Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a stream, river, lake or wetland. Anything that enters a storm sewer is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

The Effects of Pollution: Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people!

Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats.

Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms cannot exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels

Bacteria and other pathogens 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 such as ducks, fish, birds and turtles.

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 even die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.

Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

Storm Water Pollution Solutions

Residential

Do not over water your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.

Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.

Compost or mulch yard waste. Do not leave it in the street or sweep into storm drains or streams.

Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

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.

Inspect your septic system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary- every 3 to 5 years.

Do not dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

When walking your pet, remember to pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly.

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.

Agriculture

Keep livestock away from stream banks and provide them with a water source away from water bodies.

Store and apply manure away from water bodies and in accordance with a nutrient management plan.

Rotate animal grazing to prevent soil erosion in fields.

Vegetate riparian areas along waterways.

Apply fertilizers and pesticides according to label instructions to save money and minimize pollution.

Construction

Divert storm water away from disturbed 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 rain storms.

Prevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed areas during construction projects and seed and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.

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	Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats.
	Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms cannot exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels
	Bacteria and other pathogens 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 such as ducks, fish, birds and turtles.
	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 even die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
	Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

	Do not over water your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
	Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
	Compost or mulch yard waste. Do not leave it in the street or sweep into storm drains or streams.
	Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.
	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.
	Inspect your septic system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary- every 3 to 5 years.
	Do not dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.
	When walking your pet, remember to pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly.

	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.

	Keep livestock away from stream banks and provide them with a water source away from water bodies.
	Store and apply manure away from water bodies and in accordance with a nutrient management plan.
	Rotate animal grazing to prevent soil erosion in fields.
	Vegetate riparian areas along waterways.
	Apply fertilizers and pesticides according to label instructions to save money and minimize pollution.

	Divert storm water away from disturbed 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 rain storms.
	Prevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed areas during construction projects and seed and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.