EARTH SMART ACTIONS

Action 1:
Stormwater pollutants

Return to Stormwater Quality

Introduction

In the Stormwater Quality introduction you watched a short video that explained how polluted stormwater is a serious problem for the quality and health of our creeks, rivers, lakes and oceans. However, it may be hard to understand the role we all play in contributing to the problem. Where exactly do these mysterious stormwater pollutants come from? How do these pollutants in our neighborhoods affect our environment? 

In this action you will learn about five significant pollutants commonly found in neighborhoods and how they affect our environment. You will explore your neighborhood to find these pollutants and document their location, helping your city understand which pollutants are present in your area.  Some of the pollutants are easy to spot, but for others we have to look a little closer.  However, the most important thing to understand is these pollutants come from us!  Yes, we are the source of the problem. 
How the five most common stormwater pollutants found in our neighborhoods affect us
Plastic pollution on beach
Litter
Litter in our neighborhoods not only looks terrible but it clogs the storm drains which can cause flooding. Litter is picked up by running stormwater and enters our waterways where it threatens marine habitats. Plastic is especially problematic as it does not degrade easily, easily entangles marine animals and often resembles tasty food. 
Bacteria in Water
Pet Waste
Pet waste contains disease causing bacteria and viruses. When it is not picked up and disposed of properly, these pathogens can make their way to local waterways causing severe illness in humans. Lakes and ocean beaches are often closed to fishing, swimming and surfing after rainfall because of bacteria from pet waste flowing in stormwater runoff.
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Oil
Oil
The oil that drips from our cars may appear to be magically washed away when it rains. However, it is carried out through the storm drain system and enters our waterways. Marine animals are constantly exposed to this oily runoff and, over time, accumulate toxic levels. In addition, people are exposed to these toxins when they eat the fish or shellfish or swim in the polluted waters. 
Sediment
Sediment
Dirt and debris from our neighborhoods that makes its way into our local waterways degrades water quality in several ways. Small suspended sediment particles cause the water to be cloudy, limiting photosynthesis, reducing available oxygen, and increasing water temperature. Over time the sediment can also blanket the bottom of the waterway, decreasing the depth and reducing viable habitat for aquatic animals.
Fertilizer
Fertilizers
Fertilizers that we use to keep the plants in our yard green, contain nitrates and phosphorus that are flooded into lakes and oceans through rain. These chemicals boost the excessive growth of algae in the water bodies, which decreases the level of oxygen available for aquatic life. This toxic environment leads to the death of fish and other life downstream.
As you can see, these pollutants throw our ecosystems out of balance when they get into our waterways. It can be hard to understand that these pollutants are coming from us. Finding evidence of these pollutants in our neighborhoods can be tricky.  Let’s take a closer look at how these pollutants might appear in your neighborhood. 
How common stormwater pollutants might look in your neighborhood
Litter
Pet Waste
Oil
Sediment
Fertilizer
Now that you understand what stormwater pollutants might look like in your neighborhood and understand how important it is to keep them from entering the stormwater system and ending up in our waterways, you are ready to help your city by looking for these pollutants in your neighborhood. 

Instructions

  1. Print a map of your neighborhood. It will help to define the area you will study. This map should include a couple of blocks around your home.  It will be used throughout these actions to help you gather data and take action but you will not need to share your location with us. Need help using Google to create a map? Here is a video tutorial from YouTube.
  2. Print the Data Collection Sheet.
  3. Take a walk. Get a pencil and take a walk around your neighborhood to see if you can spot some of these common stormwater pollutants. Look for areas where pollutants are causing problems in your neighborhood. Make a note of what pollutants you find and where you find them. Note any "hot spots" that are heavily littered. Use caution and look for cars. You should be able to complete these actions from the safety of your home and the sidewalk in your neighborhood. 
  4. Report. Come back and report what you found by clicking on the SUBMIT FINDINGS button below. 
Printed neighborhood map

Evaluate and Report

Report back to us about what you found. ​
Submit findings
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Ready for Action 2? 

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