Did You Know - Every Property In Port Washington Is Lakefront Property?
If you look in the street outside of your home or office and search the parking lots around town, you will probably find storm sewer inlets. Did you ever wonder where they go? A common misconception about storm sewers is that they go to a wastewater treatment plant. This is not the case. Storm sewers transport storm water (rain and melting snow) into our creeks which flow directly into Lake Michigan without treatment. Storm water often contains materials found on streets and parking lots such as oil, antifreeze, gasoline, soil, litter, pet wastes, fertilizers, pesticides, leaves and grass clippings. When these materials enter lakes and streams, they become pollutants that disrupt the ecosystem, harm or kill the aquatic life, and close beaches.
What can you do to help?
- Do not use the storm sewer inlets for disposing of motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, paints, solvents, garbage, cigarette butts, pet waste, etc.
- Repair leaks from your car's transmission or radiator. Soak up spills with cat litter or other absorbent material and put in your trash bag for disposal.
- When washing your car, use a biodegradable soap or take your vehicle to a commercial car wash or wash it on the grass or a gravel area to prevent phosphates from the soap draining into the storm sewer.
- Sweep (do not wash) fertilizer, soil, leaves, grass clippings, etc., off driveways and sidewalks. Any debris left on the pavement is quickly washed into the storm sewer during the next rainfall.
- Plant trees, shrubs, deep rooted grasses and flowers, and ground cover. These plants soak up storm water, reducing pollutant-carrying storm water run-off.
If everyone does their part, we can make a world of difference!
*Source - UW Extension publication GWQ004; Storm Sewers - The Rivers Beneath our Feet
Did you know that pet waste is a common source of bacteria and nutrient pollution in urban waterways? People often leave dog waste behind thinking it is just a fertilizer, but that is NOT the case. Household pets have different diets than wild animals. Their waste contains different nutrients which take longer to decompose and don’t cycle back into the soil in the same way as that of wildlife. Pet waste also contains a large amount of bacteria including pathogens like E. coli and roundworms that can be harmful to humans and other animals. If not properly disposed of, stormwater can wash the nutrient and bacteria loaded waste into our rivers and lakes which can fuel algal blooms, harm aquatic life, and interfere with outdoor recreation. Help us prevent stormwater pollution and pick up after your pet every time. Visit respectourwaters.org to learn more.
Bioswales are a form of green infrastructure designed to help manage stormwater in urban environments by slowing the flow of, collecting, and infiltrating runoff before it enters local waterways. Bioswales not only help filter pollutants out of stormwater and prevent flooding, but can also enhance an area’s aesthetic value and provide habitat for wildlife. Visit respectourwaters.org to learn more.
