STORM WATER AWARENESS Eastern Virginia Medical School

 Clean Water Act  Environmental Protection Agency  Phase I 1990 – large municipal systems  Phase II 1999 – additional municipal systems  2004 National Water Quality Inventory 2004 National Water Quality Inventory  Of assessed U.S. water bodies, 44% of rivers (miles), 64% of lakes (acres), and 30% of bays and estuaries (sq. mi.) are impaired by pollution.  Do not meet water quality standards  Not clean enough for swimming and fishing  Leading sources include atmospheric deposition, agriculture runoff, and hydrologic modifications. Storm Water Program

 Virginia  Department of Environmental Quality  Permits  EVMS obtained permit in 2003  Erosion and Sediment Control  Best Management Practices (BMPs)  Education requirements  Control measures Storm Water Program 3

 Storm water is water from rain or melting snow that does not soak into the ground.  It flows from rooftops, over paved areas and bare soil, and through sloped lawns. What is it? 4

 Runoff collects and transports soil, pet manure, salt, pesticides, fertilizer, oil and grease, leaves, litter and other potential pollutants. Pollutants 5

 Sometimes we dump or sweep pollutants down the drain.  We also spread lawn chemicals that end up in the street, and subsequently into storm drains. Yard Waste/Fertilizer 6

 Rinse water, as well as grease and oil, from washing your car drains to the curb then to the storm sewer. Washing the car 7

 Pet droppings contain bacteria and other pathogens.  When our pets leave those little surprises, rain washes all that waste into our storm drains. Scoop the poop! 8

 Paint, pesticides, used motor oil, solvents, etc.  At EVMS, dispose via Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S)  At home, Household Hazardous Waste Facilities and Collection Schedule  For more information, contact SPSASPSA Hazardous Waste 9

 Chesapeake Transfer Station 901 Hollowell Lane Chesapeake, VA  Open:  M-F (7:00AM – 3:00PM)  Sat (7:00AM – Noon)  Regional Landfill 1 Bob Foeller Drive Suffolk, VA  Open:  M-F (8:00AM – 4:00PM)  Sat (8:00AM – Noon) Household Hazardous Waste 10

 Norfolk Transfer Station 3136 Woodland Avenue Norfolk, VA  Open:  Sat and Sun (Noon – 4:00PM)  Landstown Transfer Station 1825 Concert Drive Virginia Beach, VA  Used motor oil drop-off only  Open:  M-F (5:00AM – 5:00PM)  Sat (7:00AM – Noon) Household Hazardous Waste 11

 Rain carries pollutants to streams, wetlands, lakes and coastal waters.  Storm drains carry runoff from a neighborhood to the nearest body of water.  Storm sewers DO NOT carry storm water to wastewater treatment plants! Where does it go? 12

 Excess nutrients cause algae blooms.  When algae die, they remove oxygen from the water.  Fish and other aquatic life cannot exist in water with low oxygen levels.  Bacteria can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary. Why the concern? 13 Algae

 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 aquatic life. Why the concern? 14

 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 Illicit Discharges 15

 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. Illicit Discharges 16

 Exxon Valdez oil spill – 1989  11 million gallons of oil spilled  Do-it-yourselfers  Home oil change  200 million gallons per year Oil Spill? 17

 Flooding  Clogged drainage ditches in neighborhoods  Beaches closed due to contamination  Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach  Increased mercury in fish  Lake Whitehurst and Lake Trashmore  Oyster yield decreased  Reduced water quality Impacts 18

 Yard waste  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 droppings  Pick up droppings, bury them, or, if not mixed with other material, flush down the toilet. What can we do? 19

 Hazardous chemicals  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 EH&S.  At home, call your local Public Works Department. What can we do? 20

 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! Effects of Pollutants 21

 Lawn maintenance  Yard waste – do not blow in the street  Pesticides and herbicides – apply per manufacturer’s instructions EVMS Concerns 22

 Hazardous chemicals  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 Issues 23

 Only Rain Should Go Down the Drain! Remember… 24