Visitors

Storm Water Affects Water Quality

Storm water runoff can impact the water quality of local streams, creeks, and bayous. As rain water flows over landscaping and roadways, the water can carry sediment and other pollutants into the streets and gutters. The storm sewer system collects rain water and conveys it directly into local flood control ditches and waterways without filtering or cleaning any of the runoff water. Sediment, litter, pesticides, animal wastes, fertilizers, and other harmful pollutants from District operations can have major downstream impacts on local waterways and beaches. Rain water runoff moves most of these pollutants through the storm sewer system and into the receiving water..

Polluted storm water runoff from urbanized areas is a major contributor to poor water quality. The State of Texas General Land Office issued beach advisories 335 times for a total of 473 days in 2006. Almost every waterway in the Houston area is considered impaired by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Minimize the Impact

Parking lots > oil and grit can accumulate in parking lots > rain water flushes these pollutants into the storm sewer system untreated > these pollutants accumulate in slow-moving creeks and bayous > fish, plants, and other aquatic life suffer > humans cannot fish or swim in these waters

Maintain vehicles regularly to minimize drips and leaks.

Pets are great companions > cleaning up pet waste is undesirable > improper disposal can wash harmful bacteria into receiving waters > the bacteria feed on nutrients deposited from over-fertilization causing “blooms” > fish, plants, and other aquatic life suffer > humans cannot fish or swim in these waters

Clean up after pets. Dispose of the waste in garbage cans for licensed haulers to transport.

Trash > litter and trash can be washed into the storm sewer system > trash can contain harmful bacteria > rain water flushes these pollutants into the storm sewer system untreated > these pollutants accumulate in slow-moving creeks and bayous > fish, plants, and other aquatic life suffer > humans cannot fish or swim in these waters

Always properly dispose of waste in secure receptacles.