1. Stormwater Runs to Local Waterways Untreated Turkey CreekKansas River & Missouri River Merge

2. Stormwater Runoff Management Illustration from Mid America Regional Council

3. Stormwater Runoff Water falls as rain, snow, or ice. Most seeps into ground. If ground is saturated, frozen, or has paved surfaces, water flows & is called stormwater runoff. Stormwater Flows over surfaces such as roads, driveways and parking lots.

4. Where does Stormwater Go? Stormwater flows to storm drains along streets. It may carry soil, pet waste, oil, pesticides, & other pollutants with it. This polluted runoff goes to streams & lakes untreated. Stormwater goes into storm drains and pollutants flow untreated into local streams, rivers & lakes.

5. Sediment Pollution Sediment comes from soil erosion & from decomposition of plants and animals. Sediment will make streams & lakes cloudy. Sediment is the most common pollutant. Sediment has flowed to storm drain and closed it from functioning.

6. How Can I Reduce Sediment Runoff? Avoid mowing 10-15 feet of creek or stream. This will minimize erosion & help filter sediment. Sweep driveways, don’t hose them off. Otherwise sediment flows to storm drain. Don’t mow right up to stream bed

7. Oil & Auto Fluid Pollution E.P.A. estimates that 200 million gallons of oil are improperly disposed each year. One quart of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water. Oil illegally dumped flows untreated to area streams, rivers, and lakes.

8. How Can I Reduce Oil Runoff? Fix vehicles that are leaking fluids. If you change your own oil, store it in a container and dispose of properly. Wyandotte County residents use HHW site. For Info call 913-573-5400 Dispose of your Oil & Auto fluids properly.

9. Septic System Pollution E.P.A. estimates that 25% of homes use septic systems. Over 4 billion gallons of wastewater per day is dispersed below ground thru septic systems. Liquids surfacing from non functioning septic system.

10. How Can I Reduce Septic Runoff? Have septic system pumped regularly. Fix any faulty septic system. Fix faulty toilets to save water going thru system. Do laundry over several days so you don’t send water to system at once. Do your washing over several days.

11. Lawn Chemical Pollution Lawn chemicals are fertilizers, herbicides, & insecticides. Over application can cause toxic levels of chemicals & excessive nutrient runoff. Would you walk with bare feet in your lawn?

12. How Can I Reduce Lawn Chemical Runoff? Conduct a soil test. Don’t over fertilize. Use chemicals according to the instructions. Landscape with native plants. Consider using compost on your lawn

13. Pet Waste Pollution Each rain, thousands of pounds of pet waste flows into local streams. U.S. Geological Survey showed 25% of bacteria in area K.C. streams is caused by pet waste. Flier from Mid America Regional Council, KC Mo.

14. How Can I Reduce Pet Waste Runoff? Pickup pet waste from your yard. When walking your pet pickup after them. Involve home owner’s association. Education to residents from an area home owner’s association.

15. Car Wash Pollution If you wash your car on your driveway, polluted water flows to storm drain. Pollutants can include soap, detergents, salt, rust, motor oils, and fluids. Water flows to storm drains

16. How Can I Reduce Car Wash Runoff? Use commercial car wash. If you wash car at home, wash on area that will absorb water. Use biodegradable, phosphate-free, water based cleaners. Empty wash bucket into sink or toilet. Use a Commercial Car Wash

17. Litter and Trash Pollution Trash and litter is carried off to storm drains. Keep America Beautiful indentifies cigarette litter as the #1 littered item. Trash & Litter carried off to block storm drain.

18. How Can I Reduce Litter & Trash Runoff? Don’t litter. Participate in a neighborhood litter cleanup event. Pickup litter in your own yard. Participate in a Neighborhood Cleanup.

19. Yard Waste Pollution Leaves & grass clippings are blown into the streets. Water & wind carry them to storm drains. Not only can they clog drains, they adversely affect oxygen levels in local waterways. Leaves blocking flow of water into storm drain.

20. How Can I Reduce Yard Waste Runoff? Never blow leaves or grass clippings into street. Consider using a mulch mower and leave clippings and leaves on the yard. Consider backyard composting. Consider Using a Mulch Mower

21. Stormwater Runoff Management What Can I Do To Help? Sweep your driveway off. Dispose of oil & automotive fluids proper and legally. Maintain septic systems. Don’t over fertilize yard. Pickup pet waste Use a commercial car wash. Pick up litter and trash. Don’t blow yard clippings and leaves into the streets.

22. Help Keep our Waterways Cleaner Wyandotte County Lake