we all live downstream

We All Live DownstreamA Guide to Urban Stormwater Issues and Solutions

Do your part for your neighborhood. Help prevent stormwater pollution and KKeeeepp OOuurr SSttrreeaammss CClleeaann!!

Urban Stormwater Runoff Issues and Solutions

The ConnectionIn natural areas, stormwater is not a problem. Nature hasmanaged stormwater through the Hydrologic Cycle.Stormwater has been recycled since the dawn of time.

In developed areas, both urbanization and agriculture havealtered the Hydrologic Cycle and the natural management ofstormwater. People have tried to control stormwater runoff,but in many cases have created greater problems, increasingflooding, erosion and pollution.

Additional StormwaterRunoff and PollutionPrevention Tips areavailable at:

www.delcocd.orgwww.dep.state.pa.uswww.epa.gov/nps/

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Recent legislation has been passed that will require munici-palities and developers to install best management practicesthat will help manage stormwater following the principles ofthe Hydrologic Cycle. Practices will also be implementedthat will decrease non-point source pollution.

Non-point source pollution is all the stuff stormwater picksup as it runs over land to the sewer and eventually the stream.Non-point source pollution includes oil, sediment, nutrientsand bacteria from pet waste, chemicals and nutrients fromgardens and lawn chemicals, litter, etc. You can help decreasestormwater runoff and prevent non-point source pollutionby following these tips.

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Use a Rain BarrelRain Barrels capture and store rain,making it available for watering gar-dens, washing cars, and other activitiesthat you would use your hose for. Thecollected rainwater is used in place ofyour utility or well water, thereforereducing costs. The stored rainwaterwill not contribute to stormwaterrunoff, which causes flooding andcarries pollutant to our streams.

Pick Up After Your DogPet waste can contribute nutrients and bacteria to ourstreams. In drinking water areas bacteria can form algae,which is costly to treat. These costs can be passed on to you!

Minimize Lawn ChemicalsStormwater can carry pesticides and herbicides into the stream. Try natu-ral lawn care methods instead of chemicals. If using chemicals, make sureto follow directions, and do not apply when the forecast is calling for rain.

Only Rain in the DrainNever putanything intostorm sewers,including oil, paint,soap, debris, leaves, etc.Storm sewers do not go to the sewer plant but discharge directly into ourstreams. You might bepouring oil into your owndrinking water!

Plant Native Trees and ShrubsRiparian buffers are the vegetated areasalongside streams. They are an impor-tant part of the natural ecosystem andvital to the health of streams and theirorganisms including plants, fish andother aquatic organisms.

Stormwater, Pollution and You

The Hydrologic Cycle

Properly Dispose ofHazardous WasteDo not dump anythingdown storm drains – theydrain directly to the creek!Check with your townshipfor the location of a haz-ardous waste pickup site orvisit your township websitefor details.

Get involved – join awatershed group…

Darby Creek Valley Association

www.dcva.orgChester Ridley Crum

Watersheds Associationwww.crcwatersheds.org

Green Valleys Associationwww.greenvalleys.org

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant with

the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency’s Section 319 Program.