Preventing Storm Water Pollution: What We Can Do

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Preventing Storm Water Pollution What We Can Do
Question and Answer Game
PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH THE Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality AND U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY The preparation of this report
was financed through grants from the U.S
Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality.
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Storm Survivor Rules..
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Video
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Storm Survivor Question

• Why is it important to protect water quality?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• We depend on clean water for
• Drinking water
• Recreation boating, fishing, swimming
• Economic development

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Storm Survivor Question

• How does storm water runoff cause water pollution?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Storm water runoff picks up pollutants such as
  oil, grease, dirt, and chemicals and flows
  directly into streams or lakes. Storm water
  runoff does not go to a water treatment plant!

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Storm Survivor Question

• What problems can result from pollution in storm
  water runoff?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Pollution from storm water can cause
• Excess algae growth
• Fish kills
• More expensive treatment for drinking water

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Materials Storage and Spill Cleanup
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Storm Survivor Question

• What materials are used that could contaminate
  storm water?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Some materials that can cause storm water
  pollution are
• Fuels, oils, antifreeze, and grease
• Fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides
• Paint, solvents, detergents
• Soil (sediment), concrete wash water

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Storm Survivor Question

• Why is it important to keep materials in original
  containers or clearly labeled replacement
  containers?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• It is important to store materials in properly
  labeled containers to avoid misuse of products
  that could cause personal injury and pollute
  storm water.

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Storm Survivor Question

• What is the best location for storage of
  hazardous materials?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Hazardous materials should be stored
• Indoors
• Outdoors within a covered, paved area
• Outdoors uncovered if contained in a sealed
  container

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Storm Survivor Question

• What are the basic steps for cleaning up a liquid
  spill?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Liquid spill cleanup procedures
• Contain the spill using a drip pan or absorbent
  materials
• Cover storm drains if necessary
• Locate the source of the spill and stop further
  spillage
• Use absorbents rather than hosing down the area
• Immediately dispose of absorbents in accordance
  with procedures

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Parks and Grounds Maintenance
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Storm Survivor Question

• Why do native and adapted plants require less
  water, fertilizer and pesticides?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Native and adapted plants have a natural
  tolerance to drought and poor soil conditions.

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Storm Survivor Question

• Why is important to prevent irrigation water from
  running off grass or landscaped areas ?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• It is important to reduce irrigation runoff
  because
• Fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides may be
  carried to streams by the runoff
• Saves water!

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Storm Survivor Question

• What weather-related factors should be considered
  when determining whether its OK to apply
  pesticides or herbicides ?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Dont apply pesticides or herbicides during windy
  conditions or when rain is predicted within 24
  hours.

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Fleet Maintenance
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Storm Survivor Question

• Where should vehicle maintenance activities be
  conducted?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Conduct all vehicle and equipment maintenance at
  designated locations, preferably inside the shop
  or outdoors on a paved, covered surface.

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Storm Survivor Question

• What potential pollutants do you handle in your
  daily activities ?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Potential pollutants in fleet maintenance
  facilities include used anti-freeze, motor oil,
  transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, solvents,
  detergents.
• Others??

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Storm Survivor Question

• What is the proper disposal method for fluids?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Proper disposal method for fluids
• Store them in separate containers by type.
• Make sure storage containers are properly labeled
  and sealed.
• Never dispose in trash.

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Streets and Drainage Maintenance
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Storm Survivor Question

• Why is sediment considered a pollutant ?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Sediment is a pollutant because it interferes
  with fish spawning and destroys the habitat of
  aquatic organisms.

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Storm Survivor Question

• Why should oil-based paint and solvents be
  handled differently than water-based paint?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Oil based paints contain higher levels of toxic,
  harmful chemicals than latex paints. Oil based
  paint and solvents must be disposed as hazardous
  waste.

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Storm Survivor Question

• What are some signs of pollution to look for when
  conducting daily activities?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Look for signs of pollution at the jobsite and
  during travel
• Oil sheen on water surface
• Excess trash and debris
• Odor
• Colored or cloudy water
• Dead or dying fish

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Land Disturbances
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Storm Survivor Question

• Why is sediment considered a pollutant ?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Sediment is a pollutant because it interferes
  with fish spawning and destroys the habitat of
  aquatic organisms.

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Storm Survivor Question

• What precautions should be used regarding dirt
  stockpiles?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Locate dirt stockpiles out of the street and away
  from runoff or flowing water.
• Cover stockpiles or provide a barrier such as an
  organic filter berm or silt fence around the pile.

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Storm Survivor Question

• Why is erosion prevention more effective than
  sediment removal?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Once the soil has eroded and is carried by storm
  water, it is very difficult to remove the
  sediment from the runoff. Preventing erosion in
  the first place is the best approach.

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Storm Survivor Question

• What BMPs can be used for preventing erosion?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Erosion Control BMPs
• Vegetation - grasses or other plants that provide
  permanent erosion protection.
• Mulching - a layer of straw or wood mulch.
• Erosion control blankets - mesh matting made of
  straw, wood fiber, or plastic.
• Plastic sheeting - may be used for short-term
  protection of disturbed areas or dirt stockpiles.

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Solid Waste Operations
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Storm Survivor Question

• What types of materials are considered hazardous
  waste?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Examples of hazardous wastes include
• used batteries
• solvents, fuels
• pesticides, herbicides
• fireworks, ammunition
• pool chemicals
• fluorescent bulbs

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Storm Survivor Question

• Why is it important not to pick up hazardous
  wastes?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Hazardous wastes must not be collected with
  regular trash because they cannot be disposed of
  in a sanitary landfill.

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Storm Survivor Question

• What kinds of equipment and materials can be used
  to reduce storm water pollution?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Equipment and materials that can be used to
  reduce pollution include
• Brooms
• Shovels
• Covered waste containers
• Absorbents
• Pop-up pools

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Storm Survivor Question

• What are some good housekeeping practices that
  can be used to reduce storm water pollution?

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Storm Survivor Answer

• Good housekeeping practices include
• Check vehicle frequently for leaking fluids.
• Contain spills using absorbents and take steps to
  stop the leak if possible.
• Immediately clean up spills.

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