City of Brunswick Public Education SeriesGaNOI2005

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Resources Used in Creating Resources Used in Creating This PresentationThis Presentation

• U.S. EPA website at U.S. EPA website at www.epa.govwww.epa.gov . .• Australian Government / Geoscience Australian Government / Geoscience

Australia website at Australia website at www.ozestuaries.orgwww.ozestuaries.org . .• Georgia EPD website at Georgia EPD website at

http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/techghttp://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/techguide_files/techguide.htmuide_files/techguide.htm . .

• Center for Watershed Protection website at Center for Watershed Protection website at http://www.cwp.org/non-stormwater_discharghttp://www.cwp.org/non-stormwater_discharges.htmes.htm . .

• City of Griffin, Georgia Stormwater Utility City of Griffin, Georgia Stormwater Utility website at website at www.griffinstorm.comwww.griffinstorm.com . .

Resources (cont)Resources (cont)

• Hamilton County Storm Water District Hamilton County Storm Water District website at website at www.hamilton-co.org/stormwaterwww.hamilton-co.org/stormwater ..

• Hernando County Public Works Department Hernando County Public Works Department website at website at www.co.hernando.fl.us/npdes/citizenpreventwww.co.hernando.fl.us/npdes/citizenprevent.htm.htm . .

• The Stormwater Managers Resource Center The Stormwater Managers Resource Center website at website at http://http://www.stormwatercenter.netwww.stormwatercenter.net ..

• GaNOI for the City of Brunswick, Georgia, GaNOI for the City of Brunswick, Georgia, January 2005.January 2005.

Stormwater Discharges Stormwater Discharges inin

BrunswickBrunswick

What Should We Know What Should We Know About About Them?Them?

What Can We Do To Make What Can We Do To Make Them Cleaner?Them Cleaner?

We Live in a Beautiful and We Live in a Beautiful and Picturesque CityPicturesque City

From our historic buildings and Victorian From our historic buildings and Victorian architecture; architecture;

To our rivers, marshes, and magnificent live oak To our rivers, marshes, and magnificent live oak trees;trees;

Our City is beautiful and pristine, Our City is beautiful and pristine, And we need the help of all of Brunswick’s citizens And we need the help of all of Brunswick’s citizens

to keep it that way!to keep it that way!

Our City!Our City!

As Responsible Citizens We As Responsible Citizens We Must All Work Together to Must All Work Together to Keep our City Clean and Keep our City Clean and HealthyHealthy One of the ways that we can do this One of the ways that we can do this

is through good stewardship of our is through good stewardship of our stormwater system.stormwater system.

To become good stewards we must:To become good stewards we must: Become knowledgeable about Become knowledgeable about

stormwater runoff.stormwater runoff. Exercise good sound landscape, Exercise good sound landscape,

building, and lawn use practices.building, and lawn use practices. Learn the importance of keeping our Learn the importance of keeping our

lawns, streets, & sidewalks clean.lawns, streets, & sidewalks clean.

Why Should We Be Concerned Why Should We Be Concerned About Stormwater Runoff?About Stormwater Runoff?

Stormwater runoff washes Stormwater runoff washes contaminants from our lawns, streets, contaminants from our lawns, streets, houses, and sidewalks into our storm houses, and sidewalks into our storm drains.drains.

In our coastal environment it can cause In our coastal environment it can cause unnatural freshwater flows, which can unnatural freshwater flows, which can be detrimental to coastal marine life.be detrimental to coastal marine life.

Contaminants in stormwater can give Contaminants in stormwater can give rise to:rise to: Fish Kills Fish Kills Shellfish ClosuresShellfish Closures Harmful algae bloomsHarmful algae blooms

What Happens When it What Happens When it Rains?Rains?

Types of Polluted Stormwater Types of Polluted Stormwater Runoff Runoff

There are 2 types of There are 2 types of polluted stormwater polluted stormwater runoff:runoff: Point Source Pollution:Point Source Pollution:

• IndustryIndustry•Power PlantsPower Plants•Sewage Treatment Sewage Treatment

PlantsPlants•Construction SitesConstruction Sites

Nonpoint Source Pollution:Nonpoint Source Pollution:•LawnsLawns•Septic TanksSeptic Tanks•Roads and SidewalksRoads and Sidewalks•GardensGardens

Chart From- http://faculty.evansville.edu/

Where Can the Citizens of Where Can the Citizens of Brunswick Make a Difference?Brunswick Make a Difference?

Nonpoint Source PollutionNonpoint Source Pollution Here are some examples of pollution Here are some examples of pollution

where we can make a difference.where we can make a difference.

Let’s Look at Stormwater Let’s Look at Stormwater Runoff ContaminantsRunoff Contaminants

These contaminants can be divided These contaminants can be divided into 5 main classes:into 5 main classes:1)1) Toxicants: These are substances Toxicants: These are substances

derived from household chemicals, derived from household chemicals, petroleum products, garden petroleum products, garden pesticides & herbicides, and pesticides & herbicides, and industrial by-products, and other industrial by-products, and other similar substances.similar substances.

2)2) Nutrients: These come from Nutrients: These come from fertilizers, detergents, eroding soils, fertilizers, detergents, eroding soils, decomposing lawn clippings, pet decomposing lawn clippings, pet feces, and sewage overflows.feces, and sewage overflows.

Stormwater Runoff Stormwater Runoff Contaminants (cont)Contaminants (cont)

Five main classes of contaminants Five main classes of contaminants (cont).(cont).

3)3) Pathogenic Organisms: Bacteria Pathogenic Organisms: Bacteria capable of causing diseases such capable of causing diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.as typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.

4)4) Litter: Plastic containers, trash, Litter: Plastic containers, trash, glass, cans, etc.glass, cans, etc.

5)5) Suspended Solids: Organic matter Suspended Solids: Organic matter including sewage, and soils from including sewage, and soils from construction sites, roads, market construction sites, roads, market gardens, and other sources.gardens, and other sources.

Lets Examine the 5 Types of Lets Examine the 5 Types of ContaminantsContaminants

Common contaminants around your home.Common contaminants around your home.

ToxicantsToxicants

Herbicide and Pesticide Usage Do not use prior to high temperatures,

windy conditions, irrigation, or heavy rains.

Maintain a buffer zone around wells or surface water.

Consider spot treatments instead of treating the entire area.

Clean up plant litter and remove weeds Clean up plant litter and remove weeds before they go to seed.before they go to seed.

Toxicants (cont)Toxicants (cont) Herbicide and Pesticide Usage (Cont)

Apply pesticides and herbicides only Apply pesticides and herbicides only when needed and in accordance with when needed and in accordance with the warning label. the warning label.

Recognize that no lawn or garden Recognize that no lawn or garden can be completely pest, or weed free. can be completely pest, or weed free.

Use natural alternatives that don’t Use natural alternatives that don’t harm the environment. harm the environment.

Check the local library or internet for Check the local library or internet for alternative methods.alternative methods.

Toxicants (cont)Toxicants (cont)

Household cleaner usage.Household cleaner usage. Avoid pouring household cleaners Avoid pouring household cleaners

down the drain.down the drain. Take them to the approved Take them to the approved

recycling center.recycling center. Limit the use of household Limit the use of household

cleaners whenever possible.cleaners whenever possible.

Toxicants (cont)Toxicants (cont)

Automotive fluid usage. Automotive fluid usage. Never pour engine oil, antifreeze or Never pour engine oil, antifreeze or

other automotive fluids into storm drains, other automotive fluids into storm drains, or let them drain on the ground or or let them drain on the ground or pavement.pavement.

Store fluids in special purpose Store fluids in special purpose containers or reuse old plastic containers.containers or reuse old plastic containers.

Recycle fluids at an approved recycler. Recycle fluids at an approved recycler. Many oil change and auto parts stores Many oil change and auto parts stores provide this service.provide this service.

Toxicants (cont)Toxicants (cont)

Auto maintenance (cont)Auto maintenance (cont) Hot drain engine oil filters for at Hot drain engine oil filters for at

least 12 hours into a container.least 12 hours into a container. Repair fluid leaks as soon as Repair fluid leaks as soon as

possible.possible. Don’t work on your car without Don’t work on your car without

catching and retaining all leaking catching and retaining all leaking or draining fluids.or draining fluids.

NutrientsNutrients

Fertilizing lawns and gardensFertilizing lawns and gardens Never over fertilize your lawn or Never over fertilize your lawn or

garden. Not only is it harmful for garden. Not only is it harmful for your yard the excess is washed your yard the excess is washed away into the storm drains.away into the storm drains.

Plant gardens and lawns with Plant gardens and lawns with plants and grasses that flourish plants and grasses that flourish with little fertilization.with little fertilization.

Consider using alternatives such Consider using alternatives such as compost instead of fertilizer.as compost instead of fertilizer.

Nutrients (cont)Nutrients (cont) When using detergents inside or When using detergents inside or

outside the house follow these outside the house follow these guidelines:guidelines: Make sure your detergent is Make sure your detergent is

biodegradable.biodegradable. Wash clothes or dishes when you can do Wash clothes or dishes when you can do

a full load to cut down on the number of a full load to cut down on the number of uses.uses.

If washing a car, or objects outside wash If washing a car, or objects outside wash them on the lawn so that the detergent is them on the lawn so that the detergent is filtered through the ground instead of filtered through the ground instead of running off into the storm drains.running off into the storm drains.

Nutrients (cont)Nutrients (cont) Keep lawn clippings, and leaves away Keep lawn clippings, and leaves away

from the street and storm drains.from the street and storm drains. Mulch your lawn using mulching blades to Mulch your lawn using mulching blades to

keep from bagging your clippings. keep from bagging your clippings. If you don’t mulch, or bag cut your grass If you don’t mulch, or bag cut your grass

often to avoid leaving clippings that will be often to avoid leaving clippings that will be washed away into the storm drains.washed away into the storm drains.

Don’t blow off your driveway or sidewalk Don’t blow off your driveway or sidewalk sweep up the clippings, or leaves to keep sweep up the clippings, or leaves to keep them from entering the storm drain system.them from entering the storm drain system.

Nutrients (cont)Nutrients (cont)

Remove pet feces from your lawn, Remove pet feces from your lawn, or areas where the pet is walked.or areas where the pet is walked. When walking your pet carry a When walking your pet carry a

“pooper scooper” or a plastic bag “pooper scooper” or a plastic bag to remove waste. Dispose of to remove waste. Dispose of wastes in the toilet whenever wastes in the toilet whenever possible.possible.

Pet feces can take up to 1 year to Pet feces can take up to 1 year to disintegrate, and it is protein based disintegrate, and it is protein based which can be detrimental to your which can be detrimental to your lawn.lawn.

Pet feces can carry diseases.Pet feces can carry diseases.

Nutrients (cont)Nutrients (cont) Make sure your septic system is in good Make sure your septic system is in good

working order.working order. Do not wait until the septic system Do not wait until the septic system

shows signs of failure, inspect it shows signs of failure, inspect it annually and have it pumped out at annually and have it pumped out at least once every 3 years.least once every 3 years.

Keep records of pumping and Keep records of pumping and maintenance, and a map of the location maintenance, and a map of the location of your system and drainfield.of your system and drainfield.

Practice water conservation indoors, Practice water conservation indoors, and divert roof drains and surface water and divert roof drains and surface water away from the system. away from the system.

Nutrients (cont)Nutrients (cont)

Make sure your septic system is in Make sure your septic system is in good working order (cont)good working order (cont) Use caution when disposing of Use caution when disposing of

materials down the drain. materials down the drain. Household chemicals can kill the Household chemicals can kill the bacteria that make the system bacteria that make the system work, and non-degradable work, and non-degradable materials (cigarette butts, etc.) can materials (cigarette butts, etc.) can clog the system.clog the system.

Keep heavy equipment and Keep heavy equipment and vehicles off of your drainfield.vehicles off of your drainfield.

Nutrients (cont)Nutrients (cont) Make sure your septic system is in good Make sure your septic system is in good

working order (cont)working order (cont) Don’t cover your drainfield with impervious Don’t cover your drainfield with impervious

surfaces that can block evaporation, and surfaces that can block evaporation, and the air needed for effluent treatment.the air needed for effluent treatment.

Be careful of chemical additives that are Be careful of chemical additives that are often advertised for use as septic system often advertised for use as septic system cleaners. There is little evidence that such cleaners. There is little evidence that such cleaners perform a useful function, and cleaners perform a useful function, and they may instead exterminate the microbes they may instead exterminate the microbes necessary for water treatment, resulting in necessary for water treatment, resulting in increased discharge of pollution.increased discharge of pollution.

Pathogenic OrganismsPathogenic Organisms

Release of these organisms usually Release of these organisms usually comes from pet feces, or improperly comes from pet feces, or improperly working septic systems.working septic systems.

They can release bacteria capable They can release bacteria capable of causing diseases such as of causing diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.

These are serious diseases, but These are serious diseases, but they are easily controlled through they are easily controlled through proper septic system maintenance, proper septic system maintenance, and through removal of pet feces.and through removal of pet feces.

LitterLitter Items such as paper, trash, bottles, Items such as paper, trash, bottles,

cans, and other trash left lying in yards cans, and other trash left lying in yards and gutters. Litter is troublesome and gutters. Litter is troublesome because it:because it: Gets washed into the storm drain system, Gets washed into the storm drain system,

and ends up in our rivers and creeks. and ends up in our rivers and creeks. These items can clog up drains, and These items can clog up drains, and

because they don’t break down or because they don’t break down or decompose over time they require many decompose over time they require many man hours of maintenance to remove.man hours of maintenance to remove.

Clogged drains can cause localized Clogged drains can cause localized flooding.flooding.

These items are an eyesore and detract These items are an eyesore and detract from the natural beauty of our city, rivers from the natural beauty of our city, rivers and waterfront. and waterfront.

Litter (cont)Litter (cont)

People are the source of litter.People are the source of litter. This makes the litter problem easy to This makes the litter problem easy to

solve if everyone does their part.solve if everyone does their part. The City of Brunswick Code The City of Brunswick Code

Enforcement does issue citations for Enforcement does issue citations for litter placed in yards, gutters, and litter placed in yards, gutters, and streets.streets.

Suspended SolidsSuspended Solids

Suspended solids are organic Suspended solids are organic matter from sewage, and soils from matter from sewage, and soils from roads, agriculture, and other sources.roads, agriculture, and other sources. They can block light from reaching They can block light from reaching

submerged vegetation. As the amount submerged vegetation. As the amount of light passing through the water is of light passing through the water is reduced, photosynthesis slows down. reduced, photosynthesis slows down. Reduced rates of photosynthesis causes Reduced rates of photosynthesis causes less dissolved oxygen to be released less dissolved oxygen to be released into the water by plants, which can into the water by plants, which can cause fish kills, and killing of aquatic cause fish kills, and killing of aquatic plants.plants.

Suspended Solids (cont)Suspended Solids (cont)

Suspended solids (cont)Suspended solids (cont)

High Suspended Solids in a water body High Suspended Solids in a water body can often mean higher concentrations of can often mean higher concentrations of bacteria, nutrients, pesticides, and bacteria, nutrients, pesticides, and metals in the water. These pollutants metals in the water. These pollutants may attach to sediment particles on the may attach to sediment particles on the land, and be carried into water bodies land, and be carried into water bodies with storm water. with storm water.

Suspended Solids (cont)Suspended Solids (cont)

How can you help prevent this How can you help prevent this problem?problem? Sweep up dirt and debris from around Sweep up dirt and debris from around

your home instead of hosing it off, or your home instead of hosing it off, or blowing it into the street and gutters.blowing it into the street and gutters.

Landscape your yard to reduce the areas Landscape your yard to reduce the areas that are covered with impervious that are covered with impervious surfaces.surfaces.

Landscape your yard to limit soil erosion.Landscape your yard to limit soil erosion. Make sure your septic tank is in proper Make sure your septic tank is in proper

working order. working order.

Summary- Summary- What Can You Do To Help?What Can You Do To Help?

Ten things you can do to help!Ten things you can do to help!1)1) Make sure all bare ground is covered or Make sure all bare ground is covered or

seeded. seeded. 2)2) Do not dump anything into storm drains. If you Do not dump anything into storm drains. If you

see illegal dumping report it to the City of see illegal dumping report it to the City of Brunswick’s Code Enforcement Division (267-Brunswick’s Code Enforcement Division (267-5586).5586).

3)3) Be careful not to overuse fertilizers, herbicides, Be careful not to overuse fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Use alternatives when possible.and pesticides. Use alternatives when possible.

4)4) Compost your yard waste, sweep up grass Compost your yard waste, sweep up grass clippings, and tree trimmings from driveways clippings, and tree trimmings from driveways and streets, and never place them close to and streets, and never place them close to storm drains and ditches.storm drains and ditches.

5)5) Clean up your pet waste, and flush it down the Clean up your pet waste, and flush it down the toilet, or send it to the landfill in a garbage bag. toilet, or send it to the landfill in a garbage bag.

Summary- Summary- What Can You Do To Help?What Can You Do To Help?

Ten things you can do to help (cont)!Ten things you can do to help (cont)!6)6) Keep any oil, gasoline, antifreeze, and other Keep any oil, gasoline, antifreeze, and other

automotive supplies, and household chemicals automotive supplies, and household chemicals stored properly. Keep containers sealed tightly, stored properly. Keep containers sealed tightly, and recycle any used oils and fluids. and recycle any used oils and fluids.

7)7) Never drop litter in the yard, or streets where it Never drop litter in the yard, or streets where it can find it’s way into the storm drain system can find it’s way into the storm drain system (including cigarette buttes).(including cigarette buttes).

8)8) Refrain from washing your car on the street or Refrain from washing your car on the street or in your driveway. Wash it at the carwash, or on in your driveway. Wash it at the carwash, or on your lawn to keep the water our of our storm your lawn to keep the water our of our storm sewer system. sewer system.

Summary- Summary- What Can You Do To Help?What Can You Do To Help?

Ten things you can do to help (cont)!Ten things you can do to help (cont)!9)9) Maintain your septic system properly. Maintain your septic system properly.

Inspect it annually, and have it pumped Inspect it annually, and have it pumped out every 3 years. Don’t use garbage out every 3 years. Don’t use garbage disposals with septic systems, and be disposals with septic systems, and be careful not to run chemicals into your careful not to run chemicals into your drains that will interfere with the septic drains that will interfere with the septic treatment process. treatment process.

10)10) Get involved with local volunteer Get involved with local volunteer groups that promote conservation, and groups that promote conservation, and cleanliness of our city.cleanliness of our city.End of Show- “Esc” or browsers back “” button to exit.