Cloudy with a Chance of Stormwater Run-Off

Transcription

1 Cloudy with a Chance of Stormwater Run-Off April 2017 Rhys Rowland Environmental Programs Specialist Public Works Department rrowland@cityofdavis.org

2 Outline o Definitions o Pollutants o How we generate pollutants o Stormwater Path o Why it s a problem? o Pollution Prevention

3 o Stormwater : Any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of natural precipitation or snow melt runoff. o Wastewater: Definitions Spent or used water that contains waste products, discharged from homes, commercial establishments, farms, or industries.

4 Definitions

5 Pollutants o Any substance introduced into the environment that adversely affects the waters of the state or of the United States.

6 Pollutants o What are common pollutants: Dirt, yard waste, fertilizers, soaps/detergents, pesticides, oil, anti-freeze, pool chlorine and acid, all paints, solvents, concrete, salts, trash plastic.

7 Pollutants o How do we generate pollutants? Yard work landscaping, planting, pruning Using chemical fertilizers and pesticides Washing cars Using chemical solvents on surfaces Washing down driveways Draining pools Letting water mix with garbage Using plastic goods Pouring any non-stormwater into the gutter Pet wastes

8 Where Does Stormwater Go? o From our properties o To the curb and gutter o To the storm drain under the street o To detention ponds or conveyance channels o To wetlands or yolo bypass o To Sacramento River o SF Bay/ocean

9 Where Does Stormwater Go?

10 Where Does Stormwater Go? WWTP Wetlands Northstar Ponds F St Channel Sutter Pond Stonegate & West Area Ponds The Cannery Pond Mace Ranch Channel Discharge Point to Yolo Bypass Evergreen Pond Core Area Pond Old Putah Creek Channel El Macero Channel Yolo Bypass

11 Where Does Stormwater Go?

12 Where Does Stormwater Go? SF Bay

13 Why is Pollution a Problem? o Pollutants are carried by stormwater from our yards, homes, and streets. o Pollutants degrade water quality by making the water murky, too little oxygen, too much bacteria and too many toxic chemicals.

14 Why is Pollution a Problem? o Pollutants harm aquatic plants and wildlife, degrade water for recreation, fishing, swimming, agriculture and even drinking. o Key problems are persistent organic pesticides, toxic chemicals and plastics

15 Why is Pollution a Problem?

16 Why is Pollution a Problem? o Plastics: slow to breakdown Readily combine with toxic chemicals, in concentrations 100 times of the surrounding water Readily consumed by low levels in the food chain Concentrations increase exponentially at each level in the food chain

17 Why is Pollution a Problem?

18 Solutions to Pollution o LID in development o Source control o Behavoiral choices

19 o LID Solutions to Pollution Vegetated/rocky swales Retention/detention ponds SW planters Grassy filter strips Pervious pavers/paving Rain barrels/cisterns In ground vaults

20 Solutions to Pollution Vegetated/rocky swales

21 Solutions to Pollution Retention/detention ponds

22 Solutions to Pollution SW planters

23 Solutions to Pollution Grassy filter strips

24 Solutions to Pollution Pervious pavers/paving

25 Solutions to Pollution In ground vaults

26 Solutions to Pollution Rain barrels/cisterns

27 Solutions to Pollution o Source control: Keep garbage from mixing with rain Keep toxic chemicals in enclosed spaces with secondary containment Put out yard waste only on city collection days Avoid doing yard work on windy days or just prior to rain events. Wash cars at car washes Have cars serviced at professional auto service Pick up pet waste

28 Solutions to Pollution o Behavoiral Choices: Join the Yolo Basin Foundation or the Putah Creek Council. Volunteer to help with Coast and Creek Cleanup Day or other events. Be aware of your purchasing choices. Buy less plastic and plastic packaged goods. Buy recycled content products. Drain your pool appropriately

29 Solutions to Pollution Reuse and recycle. Pick up plastics. Buy OWOW endorsed products Ecofriendly soaps and detergents Avoid overwatering Use dry clean up methods Dispose of hazardous wastes through Yolo County Landfill Be mindful of weather

30 Resources