Cloudy with a Chance of Stormwater Run-Off April 2017 Rhys Rowland Environmental Programs Specialist Public Works Department rrowland@cityofdavis.org
Outline o Definitions o Pollutants o How we generate pollutants o Stormwater Path o Why it s a problem? o Pollution Prevention
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.
Definitions
Pollutants o Any substance introduced into the environment that adversely affects the waters of the state or of the United States.
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.
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
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
Where Does Stormwater Go?
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
Where Does Stormwater Go?
Where Does Stormwater Go? SF Bay
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.
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
Why is Pollution a Problem?
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
Why is Pollution a Problem?
Solutions to Pollution o LID in development o Source control o Behavoiral choices
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
Solutions to Pollution Vegetated/rocky swales
Solutions to Pollution Retention/detention ponds
Solutions to Pollution SW planters
Solutions to Pollution Grassy filter strips
Solutions to Pollution Pervious pavers/paving
Solutions to Pollution In ground vaults
Solutions to Pollution Rain barrels/cisterns
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
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
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
http://yolobasin.org/ Resources https://www.putahcreekcouncil.org/ https://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html http://cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works/environmentalresources http://ourwaterourworld.org/ http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/ http://www.noaa.gov/weather-forecast-tools-and-resources