Storm Sewers

Urban Runoff

The storm drain system was built to make sure that streets do not flood when it rains. Unfortunately, rainwater picks up every kind of garbage on the streets and in gutters and washes it into the lake. Cigarette butts, leaves, gum wrappers, Styrofoam peanuts, grass clippings, fall foliage, and a variety of other materials all flow down the drain. This is often referred to as urban runoff. In addition to these solid waste items, liquids such as paint, anti-freeze, pesticides, bleach, soap, and motor oil can also flow with the rainwater. According to the Keep America Beautiful website, 18% of all littered items end up in waterways as pollution.

Storm Drain System

The storm drain system must process several millions of gallons of water in just a few hours. Just one acre-foot is equal to 325,851 gallons of water, so imagine how much rainwater can fall onto each square mile of a city.

Dumped fluids don't flow directly into our drinking water, but it does go directly into natural waterways, maybe a river, a lake, or the ocean. It is an easy bet that wild animals, fish, and plants are going to have to deal with whatever gets dumped in these.

Reasons for Littering

Research by Keep America Beautiful Inc. has found that people litter because:

• They feel no sense of ownership, even though areas such as parks and beaches are public property.
• They believe someone else-a park maintenance or highway worker- will pick up after them.
• Litter has already accumulated, and a little more is okay.

Additional Information

The reality is… you do make a difference. Each and every person can and does make a difference, so please, "Don't Feed the Storm Drain."

For more information, please email the Community Development Department or call at 682-237-2915.