Storm Water Program
Storm water pollution is caused by storm water run off from streets, parking lots, sidewalks, rooftops, construction sites, and other surfaces. Pollutants such as sediment, oils, chemicals, trash, and other materials are carried by the precipitation into the storm sewer system and directly into our lakes, streams, and oceans. In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act , aka Clean Water Act (CWA)was amended to provide that the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States from any point source is effectively prohibited unless the discharge is in compliance with an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The 1987 amendments to the CWA added Section 402 (p) which established a framework for regulating municipal and industrial storm water discharge under the NPDES Program. On November 16, 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) published final regulations that establish application requirements for storm water permits. The regulations require that storm water associated with industrial activity that discharges either directly to surface waters or indirectly through municipal separate storm sewers must be regulated by an NPDES permit.
The 1972 Federal Pollution Control Act created the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting Program. The NPDES program authorizes discharges from point sources to waters of United States. The term "point sources" is defined as any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, such as a pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, discrete fixture, or container. It also includes vessels or other floating craft from which pollutants are or may be discharged. By law, the term "point source" also includes concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which are places where large numbers of animals are confined, fed, and ultimately deficate. A permit is a license for a facility to discharge a specific amount of a pollutant into a waterbody under certain conditions to protect human health and the integrity of aquatic life. Permits are issued by the state or EPA, and are issued for a specific period of time that does not exceed five years.
Storm Water Pollution Problems
Storm water pollution can pose serious human health risks and ecological degradation due to pesticides, bacteria, and chemicals that are washed into the storm water. Where storm water enters Lake Erie from Toledo, bacteria levels are always elevated which suggest elevated levels of pathogenic organisms. This problem could be potentially eliminated if citizens did everything they could to keep contaminants out of storm sewers. Cars that leak oil or other fluids, tossed cigarette butts, over fertilizing lawns, pet waste not being scooped, pouring automotive fluids directly into storm sewers or onto the ground, and littering are the main ways our storm water, and therefore our waterways, become riddled with pollution. Storm water is not treated like sanitary sewer systems, the cost would simply be too much. This means that citizens need to work at keeping contaminants out of the storm water sewers, nip the problem in the bud.
Helpful Tips for Citizens
- Sweep all leaves and grass clippings that accumulate on your property and bag them for removal. Better yet, start a compost pile with your yard waste. Composting yard waste keeps it out of landfills and provides a nutrient-rich soil for your lawn and garden.
- Redirect downspouts so the water runs over grassy areas where it can be absorbed by the Earth rather than running onto pavement which drains directly into a strom water drain. Better yet, install rain barrels that our division offers. This not only keeps a large portion of rain water from washing contaminants into storm water drains, but by having a rain barrel you have free water that you can use for watering your lawn and garden, reducing your utility costs.
- Direct soapy water from car washing into your grass rather than your driveway
- Landscape with native plants. Native plants require less irrigation, fertilization, and pesticides.
- Dispose of automotive fluids, paints, and household hazardous waste properly by taking these fluids to a designated collection center.
- Pick up after your pet. Animal waste contains pathogens that can adversely affect human health. It is the law to pick up your pet’s waste. See City of Toledo Municipal Code 6.04.040
- Never throw trash or cigarettes butts out of your car window (littering is also against the law).
- Follow manufacturer's instructions when applying pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides. This will prevent over applying harmful chemicals that will wash into our waterways.
Rain Barrels
The Toledo Storm Water Program and American Rivers are pleased to announce that we are offering residents the opportunity to purchase rain barrels. Rain barrels effectively collect precipitation from your home’s downspouts and store it in a 55-gallon cylinder made from recycled plastic. Homeowners can then use the collected precipitation to water gardens, plants, or flowers. The average homeowner uses about 40% of their water for outdoor use. So this offers the potential to almost cut your water bill in half. In fact, a one inch of rainfall on a 1,200 square foot roof will yield over 700 gallons of water.
The rain barrels offered by our division are better constructed and less expensive than rain barrels found at home improvement stores. The top of the barrel does not come off for the safety of your children and pets. The water enters the barrel via a six inch screened opening. The screen keeps dirt and debris out of your barrel. There is a brass spigot at the bottom of the barrel from which water is retrieved. The spigot can be used to fill watering cans, and it is threaded so a hose can be attached also.
American Rivers
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Contact: Katie Swartz
kswartz@americanrivers.org