Homeowners Pollution Prevention
Ever wonder what is stormwater and why should you care about it?????
STORMWATER is water from rain, snow, sleet, hail, that flows across the ground. The water either seeps into the ground OR drains into the storm drains. These drains are part of a system of underground pipes that may travel for many miles before directly entering creeks, canals, and our very own Lake Wylie. This is called the storm drain system.
The stormdrain system, unlike the sanitary system, does NOT have a mechanism for treating the stormwater runoff. Anything poured into a gutter or drain, such as used motor oil or antifreeze, flows directly into the stream, creeks, canals and Lake Wylie.
When it rains, oil, antifreeze, detergents, pesticides, yard clippings, dirt and other pollutants get washed from driveways, backyards, parking lots, and streets into storm drains and then directly to creeks and stream and then into Lake Wylie UNTREATED!
When these pollutants enter the creeks, streams, rivers and lakes they can cause aquatic habitat disruption, fish kills, algae blooms and restrictions on recreational activities such as boating and swimming.
ALERT!!!!!!!
Did you know that you (yes-you) could be contributing to pollution of our lakes and streams by doing the following things?
(click on any of the above activities to learn more)
CAR WASHING
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
USING FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDES
MOWING YOUR LAWN AND RAKING YOUR LEAVES
WALKING YOUR DOG
USING THE BATHROOM
SWIMMING IN YOUR POOL
WATERING YOUR LAWN