NOTICE: Changes Made in SPSA Household Hazardous Waste Locations
(06-27-07)

Public Works Department - Stormwater Management

Preventing Stormwater Pollution

You can help reduce pollution by remembering to keep potential pollutants away from storm drains. Never throw or dump anything down a storm drain; not only can this contaminate local waters, but it can also contribute to flooding by blocking drains and ditches.

Some neighborhoods and businesses utilize "Best Management Practices", or BMPs, to remove pollutants from stormwater. If the builder of your home installed a BMP on your property (such as a grassed swale with a check dam), ensure that it is functioning. To function properly, grassed swales with check dams need proper vegetation and the check dam (a board or rocks across the swale) must be in place.

It is also important to properly use and dispose of the following:

Motor Oil. Four quarts of motor oil can create an 8-acre oil slick and contaminate a million gallons of drinking water. Recycle used motor oil at local service stations and collection centers. Never dump it.

Antifreeze is a toxic pollutant that can kill not only aquatic life but also pets when they drink from contaminated puddles.

Pesticides/herbicides. With proper mowing, fertilizing and watering, you can significantly reduce the amount of chemicals needed on your lawn. Spot treat only.

Detergents are pollutants that contain phosphorus which contribute to algae blooms. Algae blooms deplete waterways of oxygen and cause fish kills.

Pet and other animal waste is raw sewage that releases bacteria and oxygen-consuming materials into our waterways.

Yard waste (grass clippings and leaves) is a pollutant that releases bacteria, oxygen-consuming materials, phosphorus and nitrogen into our waterways. It also clogs storm drains, which contributes to flooding. By leaving grass clippings on the lawn, you reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizer as much as one third. If necessary, bag yard waste in clear plastic bags and place at curbside on your regular garbage collection day.

Each of these pollutants can cause fish and water plants to die, and make our local waters unsuitable for boating, fishing, swimming and drinking.

Household hazardous wastes including motor oil and antifreeze can be taken to a number of SPSA's landfills and transfer stations for proper disposal. Call 420-4700 for details.

Overfertilizing & Overwatering

Fertilizers are pollutants that contain nitrogen and phosphorus and should not be overapplied. You can't tell what your lawn needs just by its appearance. Soil testing is available through the Department of Agriculture/Virginia Cooperative Extension Service for a nominal fee and should be taken once every four years or when problems arise. Call 382-6348 for information.

Watering your lawn too often encourages shallow root growth, which makes your lawn more susceptible to drought and disease damage. The Hampton Roads area normally receives adequate rainfall (average 3-4 inches a month) throughout the year for growing grass without watering. Overwatering washes nutrients off your lawn into storm drains, which will eventually end up in streams, ponds, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. If you do water your lawn, consider watering early in the morning when your grass can best uptake the water.

Click Here for Tips on how you can prevent Stormwater Pollution