STORM DRAINS & SANITARY SEWERS

STORM DRAINS

WHAT IS A STORM DRAIN? Drains in the ground that conduct water that collects during and after rain and snow storms on streets and sidewalks to other locations to reduce puddling and flooding. In Berea, our storm drains are directed into the East Branch of the Rocky River and eventually flow into Lake Erie.

STORM DRAINS

STORM DRAIN POLLUTION Our biggest water quality problems don’t come from a discharge pipe. They come from stormwater washing off the land— roads and rooftops, lawns and construction sites, parking lots and driveways. The problems include the flooding volumes of water that flow off the hard, impervious surfaces of our urban and suburban landscapes, as well as all the pollutants that are washed off these surfaces.

WHAT SHOULD GO DOWN A STORM DRAIN? Stormwater, of course!

VARIOUS STYLES OF STORM DRAINS

STORM DRAIN MARKINGS

NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION Pollution that cannot be tied to a single, identifiable source. Common non-point sources: –agriculture –forestry –urban –mining –construction –dams –channels –land disposal –saltwater intrusion –city streets

POLLUTANTS GOING TO WATERWAYS These pollutants include: –Fertilizers (agricultural & residential) –Herbicides (agricultural & residential) –Insecticides (agricultural & residential) –Oil –Grease –Toxic chemicals from urban runoff –Litter including cigarette butts & chewing gum!

SANITARY SEWERS A sewer which carries sewage (liquid or waterborne waste from plumbing fixtures) and to which storm and surface water, street runoff, and groundwater are not admitted intentionally. A sewer that transports only wastewaters (from domestic residences and/or industries) to a wastewater treatment plant.

SANITARY SEWERS

WHAT SHOULD GO DOWN A SANITARY SEWER? Human waste Dishwater Laundry water Reasonable garbage disposal waste Bath water

WHAT SHOULD NOT GO DOWN A SANITARY SEWER? Goldfish! Solvents such as paint thinner and turpentine (toxic chemicals) Paints, urethanes & varnishes Feminine hygiene products Trash Drugs

COMBINED STORM DRAINS & SANITARY SEWERS – COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS Storm drain on top of sanitary sewer. Notice there is no top to the sanitary sewer. Storm Drain Sanitary Sewer

COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS. Older systems have combined sanitary/storm drains. Problems: 1. During heavy rains sewage will “overflow” into storm drain pipe (and vice-versa) and/or 2. The storm drain may clog (see photo below) backing up the storm water therefore causing overflow between sewage and storm water. The storm drain (now storm water & sewage) flow to the nearest surface water body (river, creek, lake, ocean) and contaminate the water. Common contaminant is Fecal coliform bacteria.

COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS Hey! I’m broken! Fix me… And Clogged! Yuck…

LINKS FOR STORM DRAINS, SANITARY SEWERS & CSO’s NEORSD Combined Sewer Overflows Map of CSO’s

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS? Learn about the topic. Don’t pollute! Educate others about storm drains, sanitary sewers and the watershed. Volunteer for river clean- ups. (May 16 th 2009) Be a BHS Stenciler!