Storm Water Management:
The Road to Clean Water
What is storm water runoff?
When it rains or snows, storm water flows over streets, lawns, fields and buildings to lower areas such as lakes, streams and wetlands. This runoff can collect debris, oil, grease, pesticides, fertilizers and other pollutants that eventually make their way into our rivers, creeks or lakes.
Runoff from highways ends up in Ohio's lakes and streams. It eventually ends up in the Ohio River or Lake Erie. The pollutants washed off of streets and roads can then add to the burden of pollutants from other sources such as industrial sites, urbanized areas, and agricultural areas.
ODOT's Pollution Reduction strategies
In compliance with Ohio EPA regulations, ODOT has developed a Storm Water Management Plan for highways and other facilities in the urbanized portions of Ohio. The goal of the plan is to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff.
The plan addresses six minimum control measures:
• Public education and outreach
• Public involvement/participation
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site storm water runoff control
• Post construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment
• Good housekeeping and pollution prevention
What role does the public play in ODOT's Storm Water Management Plan?
In addition to being ODOT's primary customer, the traveling public is has a key role in helping ODOT manage storm water runoff to reduce pollutants. Litter is a one pollutant that can originate on roadways and end up in streams. Reduction in littering and participation in the adopt a highway program are ways for people to get involved to improve the appearance of our public places, but these activities can also improve the quality of water running off of our roads. Illicit discharges are another area where the public can have a large impact on water quality.
What is an Illicit Discharge?
The remainder of this pamphlet is dedicated to the issue of Illicit Discharges. This is an area where the public can have a significant affect on water quality from highways and streets.
An illicit discharge is an illegal connection or tie-in to a storm sewer . Municipal storm sewers are designed to convey storm water runoff to nearby lakes and streams to prevent flooding, but they are not designed to handle flow from sources such as downspouts. Generally there no treatment of the runoff before it empties into a receiving stream. Dumping anything other than storm water into a storm drain is illegal and considered an illicit discharge.
Examples of Illicit Discharges
• Sanitary wastewater (sewage)
• Septic tank waste
• Car Wash, laundry and industrial wastewater
• improper disposal of automotive fluids and household toxics (ie. motor oil, antifreeze or pesticides)
• Spills on roadways and other accidents
Why is an illicit discharge a problem?
Illicit discharges carry pollutants into storm water systems and from there to streams and lakes. These pollutants can cause unpleasant odors, public health concerns and harm aquatic life.
Examples of Illicit Discharges
• Sanitary wastewater (sewage)
• Septic tank waste
• Car Wash, laundry and industrial wastewater
• improper disposal of automotive fluids and household toxics (ie. motor oil, antifreeze or pesticides)
• Spills on roadways and other accidents
How can I help reduce Polluted Storm Water Runoff?
• Never dump anything down a storm sewer or drain
• Take used oil to your local quick lube or auto shop
• Dispose of pet waste in a trash can
• Wash your car on your lawn so excess water, Chemicals and dirt are filtered through grass and vegetation
• Visit Ohio EPA's web site for more information on storm water (see next page for web sites on storm water)
For more information:
ODOT Storm Water Site:
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/stormwater
Ohio EPA Storm Water Site:
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/storm/index.html
USEPA Storm Water Site:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=6
Stormwater Manager's Resource Center:
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/