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Water Pollution
Pollution in stormwater contaminates our local streams such as Town Creek, East Camp Creek, Rankin Branch and Liberty Branch, as well as the Cumberland River and Old Hickory Lake. The storm drains, ditches, catch basins and detention ponds quickly move rainfall runoff safely off our streets and yards and then takes it directly to our streams that run into the Cumberland River and Old Hickory Lake.
There is no treatment system for stormwater runoff so it’s up to us – citizens and residents and business owners to help make sure we keep trash, grass clippings, oils, greases and fats, fertilizers, pesticides and dirt out of our stormwater system.
Stormwater pollution harms aquatic life and causes algal blooms and creates public safety concerns. The accumulation of sediment, trash, grass clippings, and tree limbs greatly increases the risk of land flooding by clogging catch basins and storm sewers and creating debris dams in ditches and streams.
Working together to reduce stormwater pollution ultimately reduces the cost of treating and filtering drinking water for us to use and drink and preserves the quality of our recreational and fishing opportunities. Thank you for your help protecting our community waters! Please contact us with any questions!
There is no treatment system for stormwater runoff so it’s up to us – citizens and residents and business owners to help make sure we keep trash, grass clippings, oils, greases and fats, fertilizers, pesticides and dirt out of our stormwater system.
Stormwater pollution harms aquatic life and causes algal blooms and creates public safety concerns. The accumulation of sediment, trash, grass clippings, and tree limbs greatly increases the risk of land flooding by clogging catch basins and storm sewers and creating debris dams in ditches and streams.
Working together to reduce stormwater pollution ultimately reduces the cost of treating and filtering drinking water for us to use and drink and preserves the quality of our recreational and fishing opportunities. Thank you for your help protecting our community waters! Please contact us with any questions!
You can find out more about the watershed you live in by clicking on this link: https://mywaterway.epa.gov/
It's important for communities to work together to stop watershed pollution-but what can you do personally?
Mowing, Landscaping, Gardening and Pest Control
Landscaping, grass-cutting and garden maintenance activities can be major contributors to stormwater pollution. Soils, yard wastes, grass clippings, over-watering, and garden chemicals become part of the pollution that winds its way through streets, ditches, and storm drains before entering our community waterways.
Poorly functioning sprinklers and over-watering, for example, wastes water and increases the number of pollutants flowing into storm drains. Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides that may be washed off lawns and landscaped areas not only provide nutrients to lawns and kill garden invaders and weeds, they also harm beneficial insects, poison fish, and contaminate our community waterways.
Leaves, grass clippings, and tree trimmings that are swept or blown into the street, catch basins, and ditches are also water polluters. These wastes clog catch basins, increasing the risk of flooding. As these “green wastes” decompose, they use up oxygen in water that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. For more information, please click on the links under Additional Information on the right of this page.
Cleaning up after your pet is very important! Coming into contact with pet waste can pose several different health risks, including potential bacterial infections and parasitic infestation. Many different types of transmittable parasites and intestinal worms may be found in pet excrement and can be passed on to other pets and people and could lead to serious health issues. Additionally, pet waste can be washed into and pollute our streams and lake with bacteria and parasites causing unwanted algal blooms and a potentially toxic environment for fish. For more information, click on this informative Janitorial Cleaning Services website.
Mowing, Landscaping, Gardening and Pest Control
Landscaping, grass-cutting and garden maintenance activities can be major contributors to stormwater pollution. Soils, yard wastes, grass clippings, over-watering, and garden chemicals become part of the pollution that winds its way through streets, ditches, and storm drains before entering our community waterways.Poorly functioning sprinklers and over-watering, for example, wastes water and increases the number of pollutants flowing into storm drains. Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides that may be washed off lawns and landscaped areas not only provide nutrients to lawns and kill garden invaders and weeds, they also harm beneficial insects, poison fish, and contaminate our community waterways.
Leaves, grass clippings, and tree trimmings that are swept or blown into the street, catch basins, and ditches are also water polluters. These wastes clog catch basins, increasing the risk of flooding. As these “green wastes” decompose, they use up oxygen in water that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. For more information, please click on the links under Additional Information on the right of this page.
Be Chemical-Wise
Everything that goes down your drains or into the ground around your home will seep into the water supply. This includes household chemicals and fertilizers. Use the minimum amount of detergent and/or bleach when you are washing clothes or dishes. Use only phosphate free soaps and detergents. If you must use a chemical pesticide or fertilizer, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply it only to those areas where it's absolutely needed. Additionally, dispose of chemicals such as paint or oils properly. Never throw them down your drain!Don't Flush Your Medications
Do not flush pills, liquid or powder medications or drugs down the toilet. For recommendations on proper disposal for all types of medical wastes, visit the Sumner Anti-Drug Coalition for proper disposal.The Importance of Cleaning Up After Your Pet
Cleaning up after your pet is very important! Coming into contact with pet waste can pose several different health risks, including potential bacterial infections and parasitic infestation. Many different types of transmittable parasites and intestinal worms may be found in pet excrement and can be passed on to other pets and people and could lead to serious health issues. Additionally, pet waste can be washed into and pollute our streams and lake with bacteria and parasites causing unwanted algal blooms and a potentially toxic environment for fish. For more information, click on this informative Janitorial Cleaning Services website.