1. General Stormwater Awareness Training
Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management

2. More impervious cover = more runoff
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is precipitation (rainwater) that originates during a storm event.
Rainwater that does not soak into the soil and grass is called stormwater surface runoff. This stormwater runs off impervious covers such as roofs, streets, parking lots, concrete, etc.
More impervious cover = more runoff
Not good
Diagram (right) shows stormwater runoff process from start to finish.
Diagram (left) shows runoff comparison between natural cover and impervious/paved cover.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

3. Storm Drain/Curb Inlet
Where Does it Go?
Storm Drain/Curb Inlet
Stormwater runoff flows toward storm drains and into a system of underground piping
Stormwater runoff flows directly into our creeks and rivers, untreated and unfiltered
Stormwater
Wastewater
Unlike wastewater, stormwater does not go to a treatment plant. It flows directly from the streets, to storm drains, to underground piping and into the nearest waterway.
Outfall
General Stormwater Awareness Training

4. Stormwater Runoff: The Dirty Truth
Stormwater runoff contributes to problems in water quantity (flooding) and water quality (pollution)
Unfiltered stormwater can have contaminates and bacteria such as:
Oil and gasoline
Fertilizers
Pesticides
Soil
Soap
Grass clippings
Litter
Pet waste
Cigarette butts
Leakey vehicles can oil or gas puddles on roads and parking lots, routine yard maintenance can cause fertilizers/pesticides/soil/grass clippings to end up in storm drains, litter/cigarette butts from all over town can wash into storm drains, and pet waste that has not been picked up can wash into the nearest waterway.
The only thing that should go down storm drains is clean rainwater!
General Stormwater Awareness Training

5. The San Marcos River is our treasured water for recreation…
We have one of the most unique, as well as the most gorgeous, campuses in the state. We have a great opportunity for recreation.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

6. San Marcos River
…and home to several threatened and endangered species.
Texas Blind Salamander (Endangered)
Texas Wild Rice (Endangered)
San Marcos Salamander (Threatened)
However, our activities should not negatively impact the creatures that reside in the river. Be mindful that you are recreating in someone’s home.
Please be respectful of this sensitive and unique environment. It’s not just a fun place to tube, kayak or fish. The river is their home.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

7. What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Due to contaminates in the water, the oxygen amount is low, and this fish cannot breathe. These can be sediment particles, litter, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or any other physical or chemical contaminate that should not be in stormwater runoff.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

8. What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Leaves/yard waste that is not disposed of properly (bagged up and/or composted) can end up in storm drains and result in plugging of the storm drain system and pollution of the river.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

9. What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Bulky waste left on the side of the road can contribute to stormwater pollution.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

10. What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Unstabilized soil at this site lead to sediment in the stormwater runoff.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

11. Stormwater Runoff Pollution Prevention
A Joint Effort

12. MS4 Permit San Marcos was designated as an urbanized area as of 2010
Population measured at 50,000 by census
More people = more urbanization = more potentially polluted stormwater runoff
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit
Mandated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Requires Texas State to take extra measures to protect our natural resources
Texas State permit issued has several requirements, one of them is training
General Stormwater Awareness Training

13. Texas State: What We Do to Prevent Stormwater Pollution
Sediment and erosion controls at construction sites
Texas State requires construction areas to have controls in place to prevent contaminated stormwater runoff (left photo).
Because stormwater runoff is not before entering the river, Texas State has implemented about 40 stormwater control measures called Best Management Practices. Top photo: rain garden at UAC, holds rainwater and filters it into the soil. Bottom left photo: porous paver parking lot at River House, water does not runoff, infiltrates into pavement through cracks (acts like a field of grass). Bottom right photo: rainwater cistern, hooked up to gutters on roofs, collects rainwater to use for irrigation or other things instead of running off into storm drains.
Proper use of silt fencing
Designed to capture sediment so it does not exit the site during rainfall
In good condition
No holes, not falling over
Proper use of curb inlet protection
Designed to prevent sediment/ other contaminates from entering the storm drain system
In good condition
No holes, not pulled back
General Stormwater Awareness Training

14. Texas State: What We Do to Prevent Stormwater Pollution
Post-Construction Best Management Practices
Porous Paver Parking Lot
Acts like a field of grass, designed to filter water before exiting
Virtually no runoff
Rain Garden/Rentention Pond
Designed to hold water and filter it before exiting
Rainwater Cistern
Collects and filters water from roof, used for vegetation watering
General Stormwater Awareness Training

15. There is more we can do…
General Stormwater Awareness Training

16. What Can You Do? Respect and protect our river Good Neighbor Practices
Don’t litter, pick up trash others leave behind
Recycle your cans & water bottles
Encourage others to do the same
Good Neighbor Practices
Bring back whatever you take to the river (cans, bottles, etc.)
Consider use of reusable containers
Mesh bags for single-use containers
While recreating at the river, be respectful and dispose of all trash appropriately.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

17. BAD What Can You Do? Report Illegal Dumping
Don’t throw items or dump chemicals down storm drains
If you see someone doing it, report it immediately
Call the local stormwater manager
Be aware of your surroundings (address, street names)
Try to get a picture if possible
Do not pick up materials; they could be hazardous
Report any illegal activity to either of the contacts below
City of San Marcos: (512)
Texas State University, EHSRM: (512)
We will be administering a hotline number this year, stay tuned!
BAD
Storm drain inlets are not appropriate receptacles for waste. If you witness anyone improperly disposing of waste, please report it to the appropriate sources.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

18. What Can You Do? Dispose of materials properly
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off & Bulky Waste Pick-Up
Call City of San Marcos
Service is for residents only
On-campus Recycling
EHSRM Office –
Batteries
Ink Jet Cartridges
Electronics
Cell phones
Pack it Up and Pass it On
Pick up after your Pooch
Pet waste not disposed of properly can end up in the river
Bacteria in waste can make swimmers sick
HHW Dropoff is available for any San Marcos resident (excluding people living on-campus). Bulky waste pickup is available for any resident living in a house. Both services are free. On campus recycling is provided through Texas State Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management. For full list of battery recycling locations, contact EHSRM at
General Stormwater Awareness Training

19. In San Marcos, we keep our river clean!
What Can You Do?
Volunteer!
Great Texas River Clean Up
Electronics Recycling Event
Keep San Marcos Beautiful Adopt-a-Spot
Storm Drain Marker Program
Community Relations Volunteer Newsletter
In San Marcos, we keep our river clean!
SM River Clean-Up & Electronics Recycling Event take place in Spring. KSMB is year round and Storm Drain program in the works. If anyone wants to get signed up for Comm Relations newsletter, contact Kim Porterfield at
General Stormwater Awareness Training

20. Be on the lookout for Sally the Salamander!
Winning art for manhole cover art contest. Will be on new storm drain manhole covers in new construction projects to differentiate between sanitary sewer/storm sewer.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

21. Winning Manhole Cover Art
San Marcos and Texas State hosted a manhole cover art contest in the Fall of The winning art (shown left) was chosen to differentiate storm drains from other manhole covers around town and on campus.
General Stormwater Awareness Training

22. You will now take a short quiz to test your knowledge on stormwater.
Stormwater Quiz
You will now take a short quiz to test your knowledge on stormwater.
July 22, 2012
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23. Question 1
Which of the following are permitted to go down a storm drain?
Leaves
Biodegradable soap like Simple Green
Cigarette butts
Only rainwater
July 22, 2012
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24. Answer Which of the following are permitted to go down a storm drain?
Only rainwater
July 22, 2012
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25. Question 2
Why do we have to protect the rivers and creeks around San Marcos?
It’s a popular place for swimming, kayaking and tubing & we should protect the river users
There are several threatened and endangered species and we should respect their habitat
Texas State is responsible for managing its stormwater through the MS4 permit
All of the above
July 22, 2012
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26. Answer
Why do we have to protect the rivers and creeks around San Marcos?
All of the above
July 22, 2012
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27. Question 3
If you’re a resident of San Marcos, who can you call to remove bulky waste from your yard (couches, beds, etc.)?
The EHSRM office at Texas State
The City of San Marcos
Don’t call anyone, leave it there & someone will eventually come by and pick it up
July 22, 2012
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28. Answer
If you’re a resident of San Marcos, who can you call to remove bulky waste from your yard (couches, beds, etc.)?
The City of San Marcos
July 22, 2012
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29. Question 4
It’s raining and you see a can floating down the street and into a storm drain. Where will it go?
The nearest waterway, a river or creek, untreated and unfiltered
To the wastewater treatment plant
It will be treated and filtered then discharged into the nearest waterway
July 22, 2012
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30. Answer
It’s raining and you see a can floating down the street and into a storm drain. Where will it go?
The nearest waterway, a river or creek, untreated and unfiltered
July 22, 2012
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31. Question 5
What do you do if you see someone dumping a container of unknown material down a storm drain?
It’s ok, this practice is not prohibited; call no one
Call the EHSRM office at Texas State or the campus hotline number
Try to take a picture and know your location so you can properly report
B and C only
July 22, 2012
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32. Answer
What do you do if you see someone dumping a container of unknown material down a storm drain?
B and C only
July 22, 2012
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33. Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Office
Questions?
Contact Information:
Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Office
General Stormwater Awareness Training