Eastern Virginia Medical School Storm Water Eastern Virginia Medical School Copyright © Eastern Virginia Medical School 2004

Storm Water Program Clean Water Act Environmental Protection Agency Phase I 1990 – large municipal systems Phase II 1999 – additional municipal systems 1996 National Water Quality Inventory ~40% of water bodies impaired by pollution Don’t meet water quality standards Leading source is polluted runoff EVMS

Storm Water Program Virginia Department of Conservation and Resources Erosion and Sediment Control Department of Environmental Quality Permits EVMS obtained permit in 2003 Best Management Practices (BMPs) Educational requirements Control measures EVMS

What is it? Storm water is water from rain or melting snow that doesn't soak into the ground. It flows from rooftops, over paved areas and bare soil, and through sloped lawns. EVMS

Pollutants Runoff collects and transports soil, pet manure, salt, pesticides, fertilizer, oil and grease, leaves, litter and other potential pollutants. EVMS

Yard Waste/Fertilizer Sometimes we dump or sweep pollutants down the drain. We also spread lawn chemicals that end up in the street. EVMS

Washing the car Rinse water, as well as grease and oil, from washing your car drains to the curb then to the storm sewer. EVMS

Scoop the poop! Pet droppings contain bacteria and other pathogens. When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that waste into our storm drains. EVMS

Hazardous Waste Paint, pesticides, used motor oil, solvents, etc. At EVMS, dispose via Environmental Health & Safety At home, Household Hazardous Waste Facilities and Collection Schedule – SPSA Norfolk Transfer Station 3136 Woodland Avenue Norfolk VA 23504 Open first Saturday and fourth Wednesday monthly 9AM - Noon EVMS

Hazardous Waste Virginia Beach Landfill II 1991 Jake Sears Road Virginia Beach, VA 23464 Open Tuesday through Saturday 7:30AM - 4:30PM Chesapeake Transfer Station 901 Hollowell Lane Chesapeake, VA 23320 Open third Saturday and first Wednesday monthly 9AM – Noon EVMS

Hazardous Waste Regional Landfill 1 Bob Foeller Drive Suffolk, VA 23434 Open Tuesday through Saturday 8 AM – 4 PM For more information contact: SPSA http://www.spsa.com EVMS

Where does it go? Rain carries pollutants to streams, wetlands, lakes and coastal waters. Storm drains carry runoff from a neighborhood to the nearest body of water. Most storm sewers don’t carry storm water to wastewater treatment plants! EVMS

Why the concern? Excess nutrients cause algae blooms. When algae die, they remove oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic life can’t exist in water with low oxygen levels. Bacteria can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary. Algae EVMS

Why the concern? Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life.  Debris - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into water bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable EVMS

Illicit Discharges An illegal and/or improper waste discharge into a storm drain system and receiving waters. Example: connection of a floor drain in a business to a storm sewer. EVMS

Illicit Discharges Pouring used motor oil down a storm sewer catch basin rather than properly recycling the waste oil. One quart of used motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of drinking water and spread an oil slick the size of two football fields. EVMS

Oil Spill? Exxon Valdez oil spill - 1989 Do-it-yourselfers 11 million gallons of oil spilled Do-it-yourselfers Home oil change 200 million gallons per year EVMS

Impacts Flooding Beaches closed due to contamination Clogged drainage ditches in neighborhoods Beaches closed due to contamination Hampton, Norfolk Increased mercury in fish Lake Whitehurst and Lake Trashmore Oyster yield decreased Reduced water quality EVMS

What can we do? Yard waste Landscaping Pet dropping Sweep clippings back onto the lawn. Rake up pine needles and leaves and recycle them. Landscaping Eliminate bare spots and paved areas. Plant grass, ground covers or flower beds. Pet dropping Pick up droppings, bury them or, if not mixed with other materials, flush down the toilet. EVMS

What can we do? Hazardous chemicals Car washing Store safely, read manufacturers directions, and dispose at a household hazardous waste facility. Car washing Wash your car on the lawn or use a commercial car wash. Report illicit discharges At EVMS report to Security. At home, call your local Public Works Department. EVMS

Effect of pollutants Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs. You dump it, you drink it! EVMS

EVMS Concerns Lawn maintenance Cleaning wastes Yard waste - don’t blow in the street Pesticides and herbicides - apply per manufacturer’s instructions Cleaning wastes Sanitary sewer - not storm sewer First strip water goes into a drum on the loading dock Pick up solid debris EVMS

EVMS Issues Hazardous chemicals Ice melting products Raw materials Dispose via EH&S, not in drains Recycle waste oil and antifreeze Ice melting products Spread only on the sidewalk according to manufacturer’s instructions Raw materials Mulch, sand, dirt, rocks Prevent washing into storm drains EVMS

“Only Rain Should Go Down the Drain “ Remember….. “Only Rain Should Go Down the Drain “ EVMS