Stormwater Educational Resources

Wherever you live, your daily activities could end up polluting Florida waters.

Pollutants from our homes, businesses and farms are major contributors to the pollution of Florida’s surface and ground waters. This pollution is washed into the state’s waters by rain or irrigation water and is known as pointless personal pollution.

Unlike many other types of pollution, we cause this pollution and we can stop it!

What is pointless personal pollution?

The blame for water pollution often is aimed at “point sources,” such as industrial or sewage treatment facilities. Discharges from these sources flow through pipes and readily can be identified and their treatment improved.

But pointless personal pollution, also known as nonpoint source pollution, is difficult to identify and treat. This is because many of our daily activities can cause this pollution, and it can travel by many different routes into the ground and surface waters.

Take a look around your home and property. You can find many sources of pointless personal pollution that could end up in the state’s waters.

Some examples of these pollutants are:

• Sediments from soil erosion caused by unvegetated soils and by uncontrolled construction activities.
• Automotive and lawn equipment gas, oil and grease leaking onto paved areas or improper disposal into storm drains of used oil and other products.
• Runoff of pesticides and fertilizers from residential lawns, commercial and recreational turf, gardens, and farms.
• Organic contaminants from litter, yard trash, sludge, garbage from dumpsters and garbage cans, and pet and livestock wastes.
• Pathogens and excessive nutrients from sewer leaks and septic tank systems overflowing or located in areas with high water tables.

How does pointless pollution impact our waters?

• Nutrients from fertilizers, septic tanks and animal wastes enter our waters, causing excessive growth of algae and aquatic weeds.
• Heavy metals and pesticides from road runoff or from yards and farms can kill aquatic organisms and contaminate sediments.
• Sewage, garbage and litter reduce oxygen in the water to levels that can kill aquatic life.
• Sediments from soil erosion clog fish gills and shellfish filter systems, cutting off their oxygen supplies.
• Pathogens from septic tank systems and animal wastes contaminate shellfish and lead to the closing of swimming areas.

What you can do to reduce pointless personal pollution in your household:

• Shop wisely: Buy products labeled biodegradable, non-toxic, non-phosphorus, or water soluble.
  • Reason why: They readily decompose and will not pollute surface or ground waters.
• Store products safely: Keep toxic products in original containers, closed and clearly marked in safe storage places.
  • Reason why: To prevent spillage, which could reach ground or surface waters, and to prevent accidents with children or pets.
• Properly maintain septic systems: Inspect systems regularly and have pumped out as needed. Avoid caustic cleaners, chemicals, or solvents and fats, oils, and greases.
  • Reason why: They might destroy waste-reducing bacteria or clog absorption fields, which could cause runoff of inadequately treated wastes during rain storms to reach our ground or surface waters.

Many common car maintenance routines contribute to water pollution. Power washing engine blocks or pouring used motor oil into storm drains pollutes our waterways. These pollutants cause harm to plant and aquatic life. Oil and grease, for example, can clog fish gills and block oxygen from entering the water. If oxygen levels get too low, aquatic animals die.

Solutions for automotive maintenance

Cleaning worksites:

• Do not hose down your shop floor. It is best to sweep regularly. For more information about proper disposal of industrial waste, call your local water management district.
• Use non-toxic cleaning products. Baking soda paste works well on battery heads, cable clamps and chrome; mix the soda with a mild, biodegradable dishwashing soap to clean wheels and tires; for windows, mix white vinegar or lemon juice with water.

Spills:

• Prepare and use easy to find spill containment kits. Include safety equipment and cleanup materials appropriate to the type and quantity of materials that could spill.
• Pour kitty litter, sawdust or cornmeal on spills.
• Cleanup spills immediately.

Fluids:

Your customer's regular car maintenance prevents fluids from leaking onto streets and washing into storm drains. It is also good for business.

• Change fluids carefully. Use drip pans to avoid spills. Use a funnel when pouring liquids (like lubricants or motor oil) and place a tray underneath to catch spills.
• Prevent fluid leaks from stored vehicles. Drain fluids such as unused gas, transmission and hydraulic oil, brake and radiator fluid from vehicles or parts kept in storage.

Washing vehicles:

• Designate a washing site where water drains to the sewer system. The area must be paved and well marked as a wash area. Post signs prohibiting oil changes and washing solvents.
• Wash vehicles with biodegradable, phosphate-free detergent. Use a bucket (not a running hose) to wash and rise vehicles.

Fueling vehicles:

• Design fueling areas so that all spills are contained and runoff cannot carry spills into storm drains. Spills should be directed to a containment area that allows for proper treatment and disposal.
• Cover the fueling area to keep rain from washing away spilled materials. Extend the cover several feet beyond the containment area.
• Keep absorbent materials on-site to allow prompt cleanup of all spills.
• Do not overfill gas tanks. Overfilling fuel tanks causes spills and vent gas fumes into the air.

Recycle what you can:

• Metal scraps
• Used tires, paper and cardboard
• Glass, aluminum and tin
• Water-based paints

Fresh concrete and mortar activities are frequent sources of stormwater runoff pollution. Materials and waste from these operations that are blown or washed into a street, gutter or storm drain eventually enter the City storm system which drains to the St Lucie River. These sediments washed from work sites create multiple problems, clogging fish gills, and blocking light transmission for plant growth thus harming aquatic life.

• View Tips for Concrete and Mortar Application Brochure(PDF, 726KB)

All paints, solvents, and adhesives contain chemicals that are harmful to wildlife and humans. That is why the proper handling and disposal of these products are important. Toxic chemicals from liquid, solid products, cleaning residues or rags may enter waterways via the storm system. It is essential not to clean brushes in an area where these contaminants are exposed to the weather and could be washed into the storm system during a rain event. As a contractor, site supervisor, owner, or operator of a site, you may be held responsible for the environmental damage caused by your subcontractors or employees

General Business Practices:

• Keep all liquid paint products and wastes away from streets, gutters and storm drains. Liquid residues from paints, thinners, solvents, glues and cleaning fluids are hazardous wastes. When thoroughly dry, used brushes, rags, drop cloths and empty paint cans (lids off) may be disposed of as trash.
• Use water-based paints instead of oil-based paints. Look for the words "Latex" or "Clean up with water" on the label.
• Do not use paints over 15 years old. They may contain toxic levels of lead.
• Reuse paint thinner. Set used thinner aside in a closed jar to settle out paint particles. Then pour off clear liquid for future use. Wrap the residue in newspaper and dispose of it in the trash.

Paint Removal:

• Chemical paint stripping residue is a hazardous waste. Chips and dust from marine paints or paints containing lead or tributyl tin are hazardous wastes. Dry sweep and call for disposal information.
• Paint chips and dust from non-hazardous dry stripping and sandblasting may be swept up and disposed of as trash.
• When stripping or clearing building exteriors with high-pressure water block storm drains. Check with the local wastewater treatment authority to find out if you can collect (mop or vacuum) building cleaning water and drain it into the sewer.

Paint Cleanup:

• Never clean brushes or rinse paint containers into a street, gutter or storm drain.
• For water-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible and rinse in the sink.
• For oil-based paints, paint out brushes to the extent possible. Clean them with thinner and then filter and reuse the thinner or solvent.

Recycle or Reuse Leftover Paints:

• Reuse leftover paint for touch-ups or donate it to local graffiti paint-out programs.
• Recycle or use up excess paint.

Employee and Client Education:

Employees can help prevent pollution by including Pointless Personal Pollution training in employee orientation and reviews. Promote these Best Management Practices:

• Storage containers for paints and supplies should be regularly inspected and kept in good condition.
• Place materials inside rigid, durable, watertight containers with tight-fitting covers.
• Store materials inside a building or build a covered area that is paved and designed to prevent runoff from entering storm drains.
• Educate your employees. Include water quality training in new employee orientations and conduct annual review sessions.
• Post BMPs where employees and clients can see them. Showing customers you protect Florida's waterways is good public relations.

Contacts:

• To report a spill, learn about waste disposal or report illegal dumping, please contact your local public works department. For more information, contact your local Water Management District.
  • Northwest Florida: 850-539-5999
  • St. Johns River: 386-329-4500
  • Southwest Florida: 352-796-7211
  • South Florida: 561-686-8800
  • Suwannee River: 386-362-1001

As stormwater flows over driveways and lawns it picks up pollutants and deposits them in the storm system, causing damage to the environment.

• View Tips on The Solution to Stormwater Pollution Brochure(PDF, 387KB)

If you operate a business, chances are that you’re contributing to stormwater runoff pollution and not even know it. Any item that is spilled or dumped on the ground, whether it is litter, oil, soapy water, yard waste, food products or paint will be washed downstream in the next rain event. This runoff pollution is not treated, and will eventually drain into our river, estuary and ocean. These pollutants can cause damage and even death to plant and aquatic life, and contaminant ground and surface waters.

• View Tips on Know Your Stormwater Flow Brochure(PDF, 362KB)

Swales store and clean stormwater by giving it a chance to absorb back into the ground instead of running off into surface waters.

• View Tips on Saving the Swales Brochure(PDF, 728KB)

26 Ways to Help Our Water. Become a St Lucie Water Champion! Take The Pledge.

• View Water Champions Brochure(PDF, 6MB)

When rain washes pet waste into swales or stormwater drains, pollutants are carried along to water bodies. These pollutants include nutrients and bacteria.

• View Pet Waste Brochure(PDF, 633KB)

Landscape and Garden Maintenance

Soils, yard waste, and garden chemicals are pollutants that can wind up in the storm system and then enter Florida’s waterways after a rain event. Fertilizers and pesticides can poison fish and contaminate groundwater and surface water. Yard waste when it decomposes will absorb oxygen that fish need to survive.

• View Tips for Landscape & Garden Maintenance Brochure(PDF, 726KB)

Fertilizer Management

Fertilizers can contribute to nutrient pollution in our waterways. There are several requirements and restrictions for applying fertilizer to your lawn.

• View Guide to Fertilizer Management Brochure(PDF, 4MB)

Grass clippings and other yard waste are considered a source of pollution. When these materials decompose, they release nutrients.

• View Grass Clippings Practices Brochure (English)(PDF, 465KB)
• View Grass Clippings Practices Brochure (Spanish)(PDF, 474KB)

The by-products of food-related businesses can harm Florida's waterways and aquatic life if they enter the storm drain.

• View Tips for Food Service Industry Brochure(PDF, 695KB)