Stormwater drain pollution ..

A stormdrain ..

What is Stormwater Drain Pollution ?? Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that does not soak into the ground. It flows from rooftops, over paved areas, bare soil, and sloped lawns. As it flows, stormwater runoff collects and transports animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides,fertilizers, oil, grease, soil and other potential pollutants. This is commonly called as stormwater pollution ..

Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people. Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.

A storm drain, storm sewer (U.S. and Canada), surface water drain/sewer (United Kingdom), or stormwater drain (Australia and New Zealand) is infrastructure designed to drain excess rain and ground water from impervious surfaces such as paved streets, car parks, parking lots, footpaths, sidewalks, and roofs. www.wikipedia.com

Stormwater Pollution Management : 
1. Don't dump anything down the stormdrains.
Stormdrains are for stormwater. Not mop water, not your used motor oil, not your car washing rinse water. This water does not get any sort of cleaning treatment before it makes it's way into our rivers, so help ensure only water from the sky ends in our stormdrains.

2. Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.
Make sure lawn fertilizers stay on your lawn and out of the gutter. Better yet, replant area with native plants that don't need chemicals to look good. Stay away from RAID insecticide for ants, and use a less toxic borax solution instead.

3. Use a car wash instead of washing your car in the street.
Take your car to a car wash which has to collect and clean the wash water before discharging it. Try to wash your car on your lawn to keep that water from the gutter.

4. Pick up your dog poop / domestic animals wastes.
Dog poop is gross and has lots of fecal bacteria in it. Just as I don't want to step in it, I don't want it running into the river.

5. Throw your trash in the garbage.
Litter will make it's way into our rivers through the stormdrain system. In addition to being unsightly, trash can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria.

6. Throw your cigarette butts away.
This really should be included with number 5, but some people don't seem to have second thoughts about throwing butts on the ground. They are gross and contribute to the toxicity of the river. Put your butt away, no one like it.

7. Fix your clunker car.
Oil drips onto the road will wash into the river during the next storm. If you have a puddle underneath your parking spot, it's time to take your car in for a repair. Your car and the fish will thank you.

8. Consider a rain barrel. Capturing and reusing that rainwater means less of it can carry pollutants to the river. Your garden will be thankful for that sweet chlorine free water.

9. Direct your downspouts back onto your garden.
Direct the downspout water away from your impervious driveway and back onto your garden. Your plants and the soil will filter that water on it's way to the river.

10. Sweep your sidewalks and driveways clean.
Don't use a hose to wash your sidewalks and driveways. This wastes water and sends non rainwater into the stormdrains. Does your driveway really need a late summer bath? Credits : www.sdcoastkeeper.org

What is a green roof ?? Greenroof ..A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane