Stormwater Runs to Local Waterways Untreated
Turkey Creek
Kansas River & Missouri River Merge
Stormwater Runoff Management
Illustration from Mid America Regional Council
Stormwater Runoff
• Water falls as rain, snow,
or ice. Most seeps into
ground.
Stormwater Flows over surfaces such
as roads, driveways and parking lots.
• If ground is saturated,
frozen, or has paved
surfaces, water flows & is
called stormwater runoff.
Where does Stormwater Go?
Stormwater goes into storm drains and
pollutants flow untreated into local
streams, rivers & lakes.
• Stormwater flows to
storm drains along
streets.
• It may carry soil, pet
waste, oil, pesticides, &
other pollutants with it.
• This polluted runoff
goes to streams & lakes
untreated.
Sediment Pollution
• Sediment comes from
soil erosion & from
decomposition of plants
and animals.
• Sediment will make
streams & lakes cloudy.
• Sediment is the most
common pollutant.
Sediment has flowed to storm drain and
closed it from functioning.
How Can I Reduce Sediment Runoff?
• Avoid mowing 10-15
feet of creek or stream.
This will minimize
erosion & help filter
sediment.
Don’t mow right up to stream bed
• Sweep driveways, don’t
hose them off.
Otherwise sediment
flows to storm drain.
Oil & Auto Fluid Pollution
• E.P.A. estimates that
200 million gallons of oil
are improperly disposed
each year.
Oil illegally dumped flows untreated to
area streams, rivers, and lakes.
• One quart of oil can
contaminate one million
gallons of water.
How Can I Reduce Oil Runoff?
• Fix vehicles that are
leaking fluids.
• If you change your own
oil, store it in a container
and dispose of properly.
• Wyandotte County
residents use HHW site.
For Info call 913-573-5400
Dispose of your Oil & Auto fluids properly.
Septic System Pollution
• E.P.A. estimates that
25% of homes use
septic systems.
Liquids surfacing from non functioning septic system.
• Over 4 billion gallons of
wastewater per day is
dispersed below ground
thru septic systems.
How Can I Reduce Septic Runoff?
Do your washing over several days.
• Have septic system
pumped regularly.
• Fix any faulty septic
system.
• Fix faulty toilets to save
water going thru system.
• Do laundry over several
days so you don’t send
water to system at once.
Lawn Chemical Pollution
• Lawn chemicals are
fertilizers, herbicides, &
insecticides.
• Over application can
cause toxic levels of
chemicals & excessive
nutrient runoff.
Would you walk with bare feet in your lawn?
How Can I Reduce Lawn Chemical Runoff?
• Conduct a soil test.
• Don’t over fertilize.
• Use chemicals according
to the instructions.
Consider using compost on your lawn
• Landscape with native
plants.
Pet Waste Pollution
• Each rain, thousands of
pounds of pet waste
flows into local streams.
• U.S. Geological Survey
showed 25% of bacteria
in area K.C. streams is
caused by pet waste.
Flier from Mid America
Regional Council, KC Mo.
How Can I Reduce Pet Waste Runoff?
• Pickup pet waste from
your yard.
• When walking your pet
pickup after them.
Education to residents from an
area home owner’s association.
• Involve home owner’s
association.
Car Wash Pollution
• If you wash your car on
your driveway, polluted
water flows to storm
drain.
Water flows to storm drains
• Pollutants can include
soap, detergents, salt,
rust, motor oils, and
fluids.
How Can I Reduce Car Wash Runoff?
Use a Commercial Car Wash
• Use commercial car wash.
• If you wash car at home,
wash on area that will
absorb water.
• Use biodegradable,
phosphate-free, water
based cleaners.
• Empty wash bucket into
sink or toilet.
Litter and Trash Pollution
• Trash and litter is
carried off to storm
drains.
• Keep America Beautiful
indentifies cigarette
litter as the #1 littered
item.
Trash & Litter carried off to block storm drain.
How Can I Reduce Litter & Trash Runoff?
• Don’t litter.
• Participate in a
neighborhood litter
cleanup event.
Participate in a Neighborhood Cleanup.
• Pickup litter in your
own yard.
Yard Waste Pollution
• Leaves & grass clippings
are blown into the
streets.
• Water & wind carry
them to storm drains.
• Not only can they clog
drains, they adversely
affect oxygen levels in
local waterways.
Leaves blocking flow of water into storm drain.
How Can I Reduce Yard Waste Runoff?
• Never blow leaves or grass
clippings into street.
• Consider using a mulch
mower and leave clippings
and leaves on the yard.
Consider Using a Mulch Mower
• Consider backyard
composting.
Stormwater Runoff Management
What Can I Do To Help?
•Sweep your driveway off.
•Dispose of oil & automotive
fluids proper and legally.
•Maintain septic systems.
•Don’t over fertilize yard.
•Pickup pet waste
•Use a commercial car wash.
•Pick up litter and trash.
•Don’t blow yard clippings
and leaves into the streets.
Help Keep our Waterways Cleaner
Wyandotte County Lake