As we celebrate National Clean Up Day and our own local Coastal Clean Up days, it’s a great time to honor the natural beauty of Contra Costa. A big part of this is appreciating the importance of clean water in our community. This month, we are kicking off a series of blog topics on Stormwater Awareness.
Stormwater plays a major role in our waterway’s health, and residents and/or business owners play a crucial role in stormwater management.
Read on to learn more and see why it’s important for individuals like YOU to be aware of stormwater and how you can significantly contribute to helping the waterways that make Contra Costa so special and are a vital part of our country’s natural heritage.
What is Stormwater?
Our stormwater drain system was created to prevent flooding within communities and homes in Contra Costa.
Stormwater comes from water from rain or melting snow. It runs across lawns, driveways, construction sites, industrial facilities, and the streets. Stormwater then enters a comprehensive network of storm drains, underground pipes, and channels, ultimately emptying into our local creeks, rivers, and the Bay. It is important to note that the water and materials that enter the storm drain system enter directly into our local water bodies without being treated.
Is Stormwater the Same as Rain Runoff?
While they are similar, they are not the same.
Rain Runoff is considered simply the water from precipitation that doesn’t soak into the ground.
Stormwater starts off as rain runoff, but it is more than just rain. As the rainwater flows, it moves over rooftops, driveways, lawns, parking lots, construction sites, industrial sites, parking lots and more. Along this route, the water picks up whatever is in its path. This often means that stormwater can often carry a variety of pollutants like motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, litter, pet waste and other unhealthy items.
You can think of stormwater as rain runoff that flows over the ground and collects pollutants before it flows directly into the creeks and Bay
Is Stormwater Part of the Sanitary Sewer System?
It is not. The stormwater system is completely different than the sanitary sewer system. Keeping these systems separate is crucial to prevent pollution.
Stormwater systems carry rainwater and runoff directly to local water bodies without treatment.
Sanitary sewer systems carry wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment plants. Any water that you use inside your home is part of the sanitary sewer system, which goes to a wastewater plant where it is treated and released.
Some of our residents do use a septic system for their home wastewater treatment; these septic systems can affect the stormwater system if there are leaks or maintenance issues within the septic set-up.
It Seems Like Stormwater, with All Its Pollutants, Could Affect Water Quality and the Delta and Bay’s Ecosystem?
That is correct. In most areas of the country, including Contra Costa, all stormwater is discharged directly into the streams and bays. This means that the all the oil, pesticides, fertilizers, other wastes that are dumped into the storm drain or picked up by stormwater are discharged into our local waterways, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the San Francisco Bay.
Unfortunately, because stormwater often carries pollutants, it can harm aquatic life, degrade water quality, and pose risks to human health. By understanding and addressing stormwater pollution, we can protect our environment and community.
For example, stormwater is an issue for birds, fish, and other aquatic animals because plastic and oil flow into the water ways. As the animals eat the plastic, it can suffocate them or slowly destroy their digestive system, ultimately leading to their death.
Even when the link is not obvious, we know that stormwater can have a long-term negative affect on everything living in the water because of the contaminants.
In addition, as you may know, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the primary source of water for Contra Costa’s residents.
The benefits of effective stormwater runoff management can include:
protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems,
improved quality of receiving water bodies,
conservation of water resources,
protection of public health, and flood control.
What is Being Done About the Issues with Stormwater?
Stormwater management is regulated at the local, state, and federal levels.
On the federal level, The Clean Water Act regulates stormwater discharge from municipal systems. These systems are officially called Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems; since that is a bit of a mouthful to say, we call them MS4s.
At the local level, each of the 21 local agencies noted above who operate MS4s must adhere to the permit requirements and implement Best Management Practices (BMPS) to keep anything except rainwater from entering the stormwater systems. These municipalities work together to protect our creeks, wetlands, and the Bay/Delta.
The Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CCCWP) partners with the 21 cities and towns in Contra Costa County to manage stormwater through public outreach and community education. Our focus is to improve stormwater before it drains into the County’s creeks, streams, wetlands before it flows into the Delta and the San Francisco Bay.
CCCWP has initiated a substantial public education and outreach program to increase awareness, including installing Storm Drain Inlet Marking at all public storm drain inlets throughout the county.
“No Dumping Drains to Delta / Bay” markers have been installed at all public storm drain inlets throughout the County to remind our residents that the County’s storm drain inlets do not route water to a treatment facility.
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The Impact of Urbanization and Vegetation on Stormwater:
The Effects of Urbanization:
Population growth and increased development are two major contributors to the pollutants and the amount of stormwater runoff. This is because in urban areas with lots of buildings and pavement, the water cannot soak directly into the ground. Instead, it collects as stormwater runoff.
For example, pavement and roofs are estimated to can have 5.5 times more runoff than plants and trees. All this water collects any toxins and debris before it goes into our storm strains.
In Contra Costa County we get an average of 21 inches of precipitation each year. When our area was first being developed, most of this rain could seep directly into the ground. However, as our county grows, the stormwater cannot seep into the ground and instead collects as stormwater runoff.
When it rains in our urban or developed areas, this stormwater picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment. As noted, because this water flows directly to nearby rivers, streams or the Bay without treatment, it can harm wildlife and affect health of these waterbodies.
The Important Role of Vegetation:
Vegetation plays a vital role in managing stormwater. Trees, plants, and green spaces allow water to absorb into the ground and get naturally filtered. This reduces runoff and filtering pollutants. Using native plants in gardens and public spaces can significantly improve stormwater management and protect our waterways.
But I am Just a Resident or Business Owner; Can I Really Have Any Effect on Stormwater?
YES! Residents and business owners like you can play a major role in stormwater management by helping to reduce the pollutants that run into our stormwater drains.
Specifically, you can have a direct effect on a variety of pollutants and impacts including:
Litter: Trash like plastic bags, bottles, and wrappers can clog storm drains and harm wildlife.
Car Washing: Washing cars on driveways or streets can send soap and contaminants into storm drains.
Auto Care: and Oil Leaks: Oil leaks, antifreeze, and other auto fluids pose significant danger to our waterways and wildlife.
Leaves and Cuttings: Yard waste like leaves and grass clippings can clog storm drains and decompose in water, reducing oxygen levels for aquatic life. They can also clog our storm drains causing street flooding.
Lawns and Pesticides: Fertilizers and pesticides from lawns can wash into storm drains, affecting water quality and aquatic life. Fertilizers can lead to algae blooms that are harmful to both animals and humans. Pesticides and pet waste may result in deformities and diseases in fish.
Pet Waste: Pet waste left on the ground can introduce harmful bacteria and nutrients into stormwater. Nitrogen in the waste creates algae blooms and reduces oxygen in the streams. Just one teaspoon of pet waste can pollute enough water to fill an Olympic-sized pool.
So, What Should I Do?
There are many simple steps you can take to prevent stormwater pollution. We will be covering specific aspects more in-depth over the year; for now we want to share easy tips and Best Management Practices (BMPS) that you can start to incorporate:
Proper Disposal of Household Trash/ Trash Generated By Your Business. Always dispose of your trash with trash bins, dumpsters, and recycling containers, so that the wind does not carry it to the storm drain system where it will go into local waterways. Minimize the amount of waste you generate. Remember your three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
In Your Yard or Business Park:
Use Eco-Friendly Yard Chemicals and Natural Pesticides.
Put Yard Waste and Trimmings into Bins/Bags, Take to A Collection Station or Create Your Own Compost Pile.
– Throwing it in the ditch or sweeping it into the street will clog pipes and culverts when winter rains come and cause flooding.
Consider Natural planting.
– Planting with groundcover, compost, and mulch will help prevent erosion and absorb the rain.
Car Washing – It is best if you can take your car to a car wash business because they recycle and filter their water, or it drains into the sanitary sewer system and gets treated.
If you do wash your car at home, use biodegradable soaps and choose a location that is vegetated or has gravel so it will absorb the rinse. Reduce the water required to wash your vehicle at home by using a hose nozzle.
If you are a car wash business, comply with your district’s rules for proper disposal of dirty wash water. Ensure that no water flows to streets, gutters, or storm drains.
Vehicle Maintenance: Regularly maintain your vehicle to prevent oil leaks and other fluid spills.If doing auto repair or oil changes at home,dispose of oil and auto fluids properly.
Discard of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Properly. This includes paint and chemicals. Residents can safely discard a wide variety of household hazardous wastes to their local Household Hazardous Waste Facility at no charge.
Keep an Eye on Your Storm Drain: Step up and keep storm drains around your property clear of trash, vegetation/leaves, sediment, and other debris.
If see a clogged drain and unable or don’t want to clear it yourself, please call please call Public Works Department Maintenance at (925) 313-7000 to report it.
Scoop the Poop. Pick up after your pet and dispose of waste in the trash, even if you can’t see any water nearby.
Pick up litter. Even if it’s not yours! Picking up trash is really important because it goes into the bay and damages wildlife.
Stay connected with the Contra Costa Clean Water Program at www.cccleanwater.org or with our social media channels.
Talk to your neighbors and friends. We understand that many of our residents remain unaware that the County’s stormwater drain inlets flow untreated to pollute receiving waterways. Help spread the word and encourage others to implement the practices above.
For businesses, follow your BMPs. We have a number of handy Best Management Practices brochures for you to download on our site.
Conclusion
By becoming Stormwater Smart, you can help greatly help to protect our environment and ensure cleaner water for everyone.
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