Storm Water Pollution
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Pollutants such as trash, sediment, motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. are washed off of streets, parking lots, and lawns into the storm sewer system. From there these pollutants can make their way into local waterways such as community lakes, parks, basins and rivers.
Automotive Fluids and Waste | Pesticides, Herbicides and Fertilizers | Paint and Solvents | Solid Waste and Litter
Automotive Fluids and Waste
Oil Changes and Auto Maintenance
Keeping your vehicles in good repair helps prevent exhaust emissions
from adding to air pollution, and can prevent automotive fluids from
leaking onto the streets. When it does rain, storm water flows down the
street and picks up any automotive fluids on the street. This storm
water then enters storm drains and is deposited in local parks, basins,
lakes, and washes. Many small oil leaks and spills add up to a
significant problem.
Oil/Fluid Changes:
If you change your own motor oil and other automotive fluids, clean up
every accidental spill. Any fluid left on the pavement will get washed
down our driveways and streets, and the next time it rains, end up in
our storm water system.
BMPs for used motor oil and automotive fluids:
-
Use a drip pan when changing motor oil and all other automotive
fluids. -
Take all used oil to a used oil recycling facility. Call
1-800-CLEANUP for the location nearest your home. Many auto parts
stores offer oil recycling services. -
Save used oil and other used automotive fluids and dispose of them
at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in your City. -
Fix leaks as soon as possible.
-
All major vehicle maintenance and repair should be performed at a
licensed and environmentally responsible auto repair facility. -
Use commercial products designed to absorb automotive fluids or
use old towels, kitty litter or sand. Sweep up used absorbent
materials immediately. -
Take all contaminated towels and absorbents to a Household
Hazardous Waste Collection event in your City.
Pesticides, Herbicides and Fertilizers
Pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers are the most difficult category
of storm water pollutant. They are carried to urban lakes, washes, and
rivers in the runoff from rainfall. They are toxic to fish as well as
to the humans who eat the fish. Whether you do the yard work yourself
or hire a landscaper, keep these products out of the storm water system.
Never throw pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers in the trash or
into a storm drain. Take the unused product to a household hazardous
waste collection center.
BMPs for Lawn Products:
-
Follow label instructions precisely.
-
When applying these products, remember the motto "More is NOT
better". Excess product will not be absorbed into the soil, it
will be carried off into the storm water system when it rains. -
Don't over-water your lawn. Excess product can be carried into
the street from the sprinkler system. -
Use non-toxic alternative products to control weeds and add
nutrients to your lawn.
BMPs for Pesticides/Insecticides/Fungicides:
-
Follow label instructions precisely.
-
If you apply the product yourself, use the least toxic, safest,
and most environmentally friendly product available for the job. -
Use only the amount and concentration needed for the job.
-
Ask your pest-control company to use the least toxic, safest and
most environmentally friendly product available for the job. -
Try to find and use a non-toxic alternative to control pests and
insects.
Paint and Solvents
Clean paint brushes and rollers by rinsing them in water or solvent in a
container. Do not pour the rinse water or solvent into the street
gutter or down the drain. There is an erroneous assumption that once
the liquid dries in the gutter, the paint or solvent won't go anywhere.
The reality is that the next time it rains, runoff will carry these
pollutants into the storm water system.
Paint
Water-based paints are safer to the environment than oil-based paints,
but all paint should be kept out of the storm water system. There are
coloration pigments in some paints that contain heavy metals. These
metals can be very toxic to water supplies and aquatic life.
BMPs for paint:
-
Use water-based paint wherever possible
-
Dispose of all old paint only at Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Day events. Never dump it down the drain or into the
street gutter. -
Purchase only the amount of paint needed for the job.
-
Store paint safely. Prevent spills and leaks.
BMPs for solvents:
-
Use minimal amounts of water or solvent to clean brushes and
rollers. -
Reuse cleaning solvents and water.
-
Store cleaning solvents and water safely. Prevent spills and
leaks. -
Dispose of all cleaning solvents and rinse water only at Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Day events. -
Purchase only the amount of solvent needed for the job.
Solid Waste and Litter
Solid waste means any garbage, trash, rubbish, refuse or other discarded material that is not going to be beneficially reused. Each community in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area has different requirements for the management and disposal of Solid Waste. If you seek additional solid waste assistance, please contact your local Solid Waste Department.
Many local ordinances require residents to seal garbage that can cause unsanitary conditions and breeding of flies before placing it in a disposal container. Please "Bag and Tie" your waste!!