Fun Facts
Did You Know?
- At least 50% of the water quality problems in the U.S. result from stormwater runoff, or what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls, "nonpoint source pollution".
- Approximately 70% of all storm drains lead directly to rivers, lakes and estuaries and are never treated.
- Five quarts of used motor oil can create an oil slick two football fields in size.
- Yard fertilizer runoff from residential areas is estimated to be responsible for one third of the excess nitrogen polluting our waterways.
- The first inch of runoff generally carries 90% of the pollution from a storm.
- Storm drains do not go to sewage treatment plants, they lead directly to bodies of water.
- Storm drains do not remove pollutants from stormwater and were designed for the specific purpose of draining water from sidewalks and streets to prevent flooding.
- Water entering storm drains after it rains, picks up what is on the surface and carries it directly to our local rivers and streams untreated.
- Tire wear, deteriorating brake pads, leaks of motor oil, antifreeze, battery acid, fuel, car waxes, degreasers, radiator flushes, and rust preventatives can all contribute to stormwater pollution.
- Grass clippings, leaves, pet waste, fertilizers, soaps, detergents, cigarette butts, and other debris are considered pollutants that get washed into storm drains and on into our local rivers and streams.
- Pollutants that contaminate stormwater are mostly considered to be non-point source pollution (surface runoff)
- 16 times more stormwater runoff is produced by a one acre parking lot than is produced by a meadow of the same size
Do not dispose waste of any kind in storm drains!