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Stormwater Management
Who would have thought that something as simple as changing oil in a car, bathing a dog outdoors or making a garden could produce water pollution? The idea may seem farfetched, but that’s exactly what happens when things like oil and grease, soaps and fertilizers are washed off roads, bridges, parking lots, rooftops and other impermeable surfaces by runoff from rain or “stormwater”.
Most of us assume that the runoff goes through storm drains and into a water treatment plant, but that’s not the case. As it flows over these surfaces, the water picks up dirt and dust, rubber and metal deposits from tire wear, antifreeze and engine oil that has dripped onto the pavement, pesticides and fertilizers, discarded cups, plastic bags, cigarette butts, pet waste and other litter. Within the City of New Port Richey, these contaminants are carried into our lakes, the Pithlachascotee River, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Nonpoint Source Pollution
The result of such runoff is called nonpoint source (NPS) pollution because it comes from many varied sources. Stormwater runoff rivals or exceeds discharges from factories and sewage plants as a source of pollution. Throughout the United States roads, highways, and bridges are a source of significant contributions of pollutants to our nation’s waters.
Some of the contaminants found commonly in stormwater discharges include heavy metals, such as copper, zinc and lead, which have been shown to cause health and reproductive problems in pregnant women and children, as well as oxygen robbing nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which can choke the life out of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Additionally, stormwater is a major source of bacterial contamination in coastal zones, leading to beach closings and diseased shellfish populations. Lastly, high flows of rushing stormwater can scour stream banks and beds, destroying habitat for aquatic life.

What We Can Do To Reduce Pollution
We can help improve stormwater management in a number of ways:
Reduce fertilizer use on gardens and lawns.
Don’t dispose of used oil or grease down stormwater drains and clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local streams and lakes.
Pick up dog or animal waste from your yard or when walking your dog.
Don’t wash your car where the detergent water can run into the stormwater drains.
Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves and debris out of the street gutters and storm drains.
Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas.
We all can play a hand in preventing runoff pollution by getting involved. It is up to us to take the steps necessary to keep our waters clean! For additional information on how to control pollution from stormwater runoff contact the New Port Richey Public Works Stormwater Utility Division at 841-4536.