N ORTHEAST W ISCONSIN S W ATERS ARE ENJOYED BY PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ALL YEAR ROUND. W HO S RESPONSIBLE TO PROTECT SUCH A VALUABLE RESOURCE ?

Every Choice Counts.

Stormwater is rain or snowmelt and water from things people do, like overwatering the lawn. As water makes its way to the storm drain it picks up pollutants like oil from car leaks and bacteria from pet waste. When we choose products carefully and dispose of products properly, we can greatly reduce the amount of pollution that enters our local waterways through runoff. Untreated runoff is the biggest threat to our nations water quality, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lets make the small, important changes that will reduce that threat and improve water quality and our lives! U NTREATED RUNOFF IS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO OUR NATION S WATER QUALITY. -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Often urban runoff is directly discharged into nearby waterbodies without any water quality treatment. Photo Copyright 1999, Center for Watershed Protection

Urbanization significantly changes the water balance especially in regard to INCREASING SURFACE RUNOFF Surface Runoff Surface Runoff Pre-DevelopmentPost-Development

Photo Copyright 1999, Center for Watershed Protection Urbanization significantly changes the amount of impervious surface. More impervious surface INCREASES STORMWATER VOLUME.

Urbanization I NCREASES POLLUTANTS in runoff and DECREASES WATER Q UALITY.

T HE P OLLUTANTS IN S TORMWATER R UNOFF N UTRIENTS Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are substances needed for growth, but elevated levels can cause a health hazard in drinking water and stimulate excessive aquatic plant growth, which can ultimately lower dissolved oxygen levels. N UTRIENTS Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are substances needed for growth, but elevated levels can cause a health hazard in drinking water and stimulate excessive aquatic plant growth, which can ultimately lower dissolved oxygen levels. U RBANIZATION DECREASES WATER Q UALITY. S OURCES : animal waste, fertilizers, yard waste, septic systems, auto emission

Pathogens Pathogens are disease-causing bacteria and viruses associated with the presence of fecal matter that cause beach closures. Pathogens Pathogens are disease-causing bacteria and viruses associated with the presence of fecal matter that cause beach closures. S OURCES : failing septic systems, bird and pets waste, marine sanitation devices T HE P OLLUTANTS IN S TORMWATER R UNOFF

S OURCES : road sand, construction sites, agricultural fields, disturbed areas Sediment Sediment is eroded soil or sand which smothers aquatic habitat, carries pollutants, and reduces water clarity. Sediment Sediment is eroded soil or sand which smothers aquatic habitat, carries pollutants, and reduces water clarity. T HE P OLLUTANTS IN S TORMWATER R UNOFF

Toxic Contaminants Toxic contaminants are compounds like heavy metals and pesticides that can threaten the health of both aquatic and human life, and are often resistant to breakdown. Toxic Contaminants Toxic contaminants are compounds like heavy metals and pesticides that can threaten the health of both aquatic and human life, and are often resistant to breakdown. S OURCES : industrial, commercial, household and agricultural chemicals, auto emissions and drippings T HE P OLLUTANTS IN S TORMWATER R UNOFF

Debris Debris includes plastics and other trash that threaten aquatic life and detract from recreational and aesthetic values. Debris Debris includes plastics and other trash that threaten aquatic life and detract from recreational and aesthetic values. S OURCES : illegal dumping, street litter, beach litter, boating waste T HE P OLLUTANTS IN S TORMWATER R UNOFF

Thermal Stress Thermal stress is an elevation in water temperature that can harm native species while helping nonnative species to spread. Thermal Stress Thermal stress is an elevation in water temperature that can harm native species while helping nonnative species to spread. S OURCES : runoff from heat-absorbing impervious surfaces, removal of streamside vegetation, shallow water impoundments, decreased base flow T HE P OLLUTANTS IN S TORMWATER R UNOFF

Everything that flows into the storm drain or ditch in front of your home drains without treatment into our rivers and lakes. W HAT YOU DO AT HOME AFFECTS OUR LAKES, STREAMS AND RIVERS.

You can DECREASE the QUANTITY of polluted runoff entering our rivers and lakes Every Choice Counts.

Less Hard Surface The more concrete or blacktop your property has, the more water will run off the property and into storm drains and ditches. Planning for minimal hard surface on your property makes good sense. Focus on natural plantings that slow water so that it filters into the ground rather than runs off. Where needed, install pavement such as bricks that allow water to sink into the ground. The more concrete or blacktop your property has, the more water will run off the property and into storm drains and ditches. Planning for minimal hard surface on your property makes good sense. Focus on natural plantings that slow water so that it filters into the ground rather than runs off. Where needed, install pavement such as bricks that allow water to sink into the ground.

Rain Gardens Rain Gardens are slight depressions in a yard that act as receiving areas for rain water that runs off your roof, downspouts and driveway. Rain Gardens capture rainwater before it picks up oil, grease, fertilizer, pet waste or other contaminants, and then it sinks into the ground. Rain Gardens are slight depressions in a yard that act as receiving areas for rain water that runs off your roof, downspouts and driveway. Rain Gardens capture rainwater before it picks up oil, grease, fertilizer, pet waste or other contaminants, and then it sinks into the ground.

Rain Barrels A rain barrel captures water that flows from a homes roof through downspouts. Commonly, the rain barrel is a 55 gallon drum designed specifically to hold water without creating a mosquito breeding habitat. Water collected can be used to water plants throughout the yard. A rain barrel captures water that flows from a homes roof through downspouts. Commonly, the rain barrel is a 55 gallon drum designed specifically to hold water without creating a mosquito breeding habitat. Water collected can be used to water plants throughout the yard.

Redirect Down Spouts Direct down spouts onto an unpaved surface. Water discharged onto a grassy area will soak into the ground instead of flowing onto the road and into a storm drain.

You can INCREASE the QUALITY of runoff entering our rivers and lakes Every Choice Counts.

Mowing Mow often, when the grass is 3.5 inches or shorter. Set mower blade at 2.5 inches and let cuttings fall. Make an effort not to blow cuttings onto pavement. If you do, sweep them up, then lay them around the roots of shrubs or vegetable plants where they help retain moisture. A healthy, mulched lawn outcompetes weeds for light, nutrients and water. Mow often, when the grass is 3.5 inches or shorter. Set mower blade at 2.5 inches and let cuttings fall. Make an effort not to blow cuttings onto pavement. If you do, sweep them up, then lay them around the roots of shrubs or vegetable plants where they help retain moisture. A healthy, mulched lawn outcompetes weeds for light, nutrients and water.

Fertilizing & Weed Control Chemicals and weed killers are not needed for a healthy lawn, and theyre one of the main reasons we have green algae in our lakes and streams. Think before you buy. Get a soil test so you know if your lawn needs more nutrients. Mulch to keep the lawn healthy. If you must fertilize, do it in the fall. Sweep up fertilizer that falls in the street and dispose of it properly. Remember fertilizer that goes in the street goes directly to our rivers and lakes. Chemicals and weed killers are not needed for a healthy lawn, and theyre one of the main reasons we have green algae in our lakes and streams. Think before you buy. Get a soil test so you know if your lawn needs more nutrients. Mulch to keep the lawn healthy. If you must fertilize, do it in the fall. Sweep up fertilizer that falls in the street and dispose of it properly. Remember fertilizer that goes in the street goes directly to our rivers and lakes.

Watering When watering is needed, use a sprinkler that shoots low to the ground. Sprinkle soil, not the street.

Pet Waste Pet waste is not only an unpleasant find on yard or sidewalk, but it carries bacteria that make beach closings necessary in the summer. Prevent bacteria in our streams by carrying small plastic bags when walking your dog. Collect droppings and dispose of properly. Do not throw pet waste down the storm drain. At home, pick up pet waste often, even waste in your backyard can pollute local waterways. Pet waste is not only an unpleasant find on yard or sidewalk, but it carries bacteria that make beach closings necessary in the summer. Prevent bacteria in our streams by carrying small plastic bags when walking your dog. Collect droppings and dispose of properly. Do not throw pet waste down the storm drain. At home, pick up pet waste often, even waste in your backyard can pollute local waterways.

Car Washing When you wash your car in a driveway or street, wash water flows into the storm drain and directly into local rivers – along with dirt, emissions and detergent. You can avoid this by using a commercial car wash, where wash water is directed to local wastewater treatment facilities. If you must wash your car at home, use biodegradable soap and wash it on your lawn or other unpaved area. When you wash your car in a driveway or street, wash water flows into the storm drain and directly into local rivers – along with dirt, emissions and detergent. You can avoid this by using a commercial car wash, where wash water is directed to local wastewater treatment facilities. If you must wash your car at home, use biodegradable soap and wash it on your lawn or other unpaved area. W ASHING When you wash a car in a driveway or street, wash water flows into the storm sewer system and directly to local rivers - along with dirt, emissions and detergent. You can avoid this by using a commercial car wash, where systems direct wash water to the local wastewater treatment facility and oil, grease, detergent, sand, and grime are removed. If you must wash your car at home, use biodegradable soap, wash it on your lawn or other unpaved area to keep runoff out of storm sewers or ditches, and dispose of leftover washwater in toilet or sink.

Vehicle Maintenance When a vehicle is maintained, fewer leaks spill onto streets and highways and fewer contaminants enter our streams. So when youre tempted to put off repairs or the six- month maintenance check, think again. When your car performs better, our waters fare better too! When a vehicle is maintained, fewer leaks spill onto streets and highways and fewer contaminants enter our streams. So when youre tempted to put off repairs or the six- month maintenance check, think again. When your car performs better, our waters fare better too!

Mindful Driving Did you know vehicle emissions affect water quality? Tiny particles emitted from tail pipes settle on roadways, wash into storm drains, then flow to rivers and streams. Street sweeping can minimize the impact of this pollution but rain and melting snow still carry contaminants to storm drains. Did you know vehicle emissions affect water quality? Tiny particles emitted from tail pipes settle on roadways, wash into storm drains, then flow to rivers and streams. Street sweeping can minimize the impact of this pollution but rain and melting snow still carry contaminants to storm drains. Reduce pollution, drive less.

Household Hazardous Waste Products such as: cleaning products and wash water, food oils and grease, automotive oil, grease and waste fluids, paint, petroleum-based solvents, rodent baits, batteries, herbicides, pesticides, concrete wash water and sidewalk salt, contain the same chemicals as strictly regulated industrial wastes. We all have the opportunity – and the responsibility - to dispose of waste materials properly. Contact your local environmental, health or solid waste agency to find out more about local hazardous waste drop off or collection programs. Products such as: cleaning products and wash water, food oils and grease, automotive oil, grease and waste fluids, paint, petroleum-based solvents, rodent baits, batteries, herbicides, pesticides, concrete wash water and sidewalk salt, contain the same chemicals as strictly regulated industrial wastes. We all have the opportunity – and the responsibility - to dispose of waste materials properly. Contact your local environmental, health or solid waste agency to find out more about local hazardous waste drop off or collection programs.

If you wouldnt dump it in the river, dont let it touch parking lots, soil, or any other place where it can be washed into a ditch or storm drain. If you wouldnt dump it in the river, dont let it touch parking lots, soil, or any other place where it can be washed into a ditch or storm drain. Every Choice Counts.

Northeast Wisconsin Stormwater Consortium PO Box 1861 Appleton, WI (920) THANK YOU! O ur W aters.org Thank you!