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Stormwater Education
Stormwater is the nation’s #1 source of water pollution and is rapidly growing as a national environmental issue. It is important for all of us to take particular care in our daily activities to protect our waterways. Why? Clean Water = Healthy Life
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is a big deal! As communities become increasingly developed with more roads, parking lots, retail, entertainment, cars and homes there is an increase in impervious (not allowing liquid to pass through) surfaces. More impervious surfaces directly impacts our water and how it moves above and below ground during storms. These impervious surfaces impact the quality of our stormwater and the conditions of our creeks and lakes.
Stormwater Basics
Common Pollutants
Motor oil, sediment, yard waste/leaves, biodegradable materials, and paint are common pollutants that should never be put down our storm drains. These materials travel directly into our creeks and lakes UNTREATED, polluting water and natural habitats.
We need your help to Save Our Waterways! Stormwater pollution cannot be ignored. It can be prevented with all of us working together. You can protect the water quality. Learn the stormwater basics and get involved. Our Water, Our Health, Our Responsibility.
Watershed
A watershed is simply an area of land that drains into a particular body of water. The rainwater that falls on the land flows downhill and slopes and drains into a creek or river. Many watersheds make up a much larger "river basin" or "Lake Basin". For example, most of Taylor County is located within the Cedar, Elm, Little Elm, Catclaw and Lytle Creek watershed which is part of the larger Brazos River Basin. You live in a watershed. The neighborhood you live in is part of a watershed. Every raindrop from a storm falls into our watershed. Where does the stormwater from your yard go? It flows to the nearest creek, lake, river or stream, and eventually to the ocean.
Join Your Neighbors – Take Action
The things you do every day have an impact on your water quality. Small changes to your routine protects the water quality for all of us. Here are some ways you can be a part of protecting water quality:
- Pick up after your dog – on-leash, off-leash and even in your yard. See Scoop It. Bag It. Trash It. for more.
- Properly maintain your septic system. See Septic Smart for more information.
- Secure trash cans and pet food to reduce food sources for stray animals and wild life such as raccoons.
- Properly apply fertilizer – only apply what your lawn really needs. See Lawn & Garden Tips for more information.
- Keep irrigation on the lawn and out of the gutter. See Lawn & Garden Tips for more information.
Report Pollution
Everyday products that we use in our homes and businesses are hazardous if they enter our creeks and lakes. Be aware of what those materials are, how to properly dispose of them and if you see a spill, report it!
Only Rain Down the Storm Drain
Whether you see a spill in your neighborhood or need to dispose of household hazardous waste, please take proper actions. Chemicals entering our water is a disaster.
What to watch for and report:
- Spills from traffic accidents
- Someone rinsing a paintbrush in the gutter
- Chemicals washing into a floor drain in a building connected to the storm drainage system.
- Landscaping materials in the right of way, sitting in the curb & gutter blocking water drainage.
- Waste water from mobile cleaning operations washing down the street to the drain
- Concrete wash out
Use the See Click Fix to report spills or illegal dumping or call the Stormwater Service Hotline 325-437-4937.
Know the Rules
Abilene’s storm drainage system is designed to convey rain water to our local creeks and lakes. Businesses and residents all need to be aware of what is allowed and not allowed into the storm drain system. City ordinances, state and federal regulations establish methods for controlling pollutants entering our storm drains.
The purpose behind the city ordinances are to:
- Control pollutants headed to the storm drainage system.
- Prohibit illegal connections and discharges into the storm drainage system.
- Establish legal authority to carry out inspections, surveillance, monitoring and enforcement procedures necessary to ensure compliance with ordinances.
- Promote public awareness of the hazards of dumping trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet & human waste, grease, oil, cleaning chemicals, paint products, sediment and other pollutants into the storm drainage system.
General Prohibitions
- No person will discharge or cause to be discharged into the storm drainage system or waterways any materials other than stormwater.
- The construction, use, maintenance, or continued existence of illicit connections to the storm drainage system is prohibited.
- It is illegal to cause materials to be deposited in such a manner or location as to cause a discharge into storm drains, gutters or waterways of the State of Texas. Materials that are no longer contained in a pipe, tank or other container is considered a threat to our water system unless they are actively being cleaned up.
- No person shall with malicious intent destroy or interfere with structural controls in place to protect water quality.
For more specifics about these requirements take a look at the, Stormwater Prohibitions Ordinance or contact a Stormwater official.
Get Involved
Here in Abilene, we take great pride in keeping our city parks, creeks, lakes, streets and neighborhoods clean. Do your part in keeping our precious water clean. The City of Abilene partners with the local non-profit, Keep Abilene Beautiful is hosting area-wide clean up events for neighborhoods, schools, and at our local parks and lakes. Groups can adopt a street or creek to clean. We are always working to plan new and exciting ways for you to be involved in watershed protection. Get in touch with Keep Abilene Beautiful or visit their website to find out about upcoming events and get involved with making Abilene the best place to live, work, play and visit.