What is Stormwater Pollution?

Stormwater pollution is untreated water that drains from the surface of streets and yards through the 7,845 miles of the City’s storm drain system. Water from rain, hoses and sprinklers picks up pollutants and floatables along the way and carries them to their final resting place -- the City’s waterways. Pollutants and floatables include debris, cigarette butts, Styrofoam cups, fast-food wrappers, water mixed with chemicals, motor oil and car fluids, debris, yard and pet waste, leaking and improperly maintained septic systems, and pesticides.

What Are the Effects of Stormwater Pollution?

The effects of stormwater pollution are detrimental. Stormwater pollution poses a health risk, harms marine life, closes beaches, contaminates the ocean, impacts the economy, harms the environment, affects neighborhoods and property values, clogs gutters and catch basins, attracts rodents, and creates unpleasant odors.

What Are the Benefits of Preventing Stormwater Pollution?

The benefits of preventing waterway pollution are endless. The City’s waterways will be cleaner, healthier and safer for swimming, fishing or enjoying other water-related recreational activities. The City will also be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing and the need for costly stormwater treatment in the future can be prevented.

Where Does Stormwater Go?

Stormwater is carried over pavement and drains into catch basins and storm drains located throughout the City of Fort Lauderdale. The water then travels through miles of underground pipes and is discharged directly to local waterways.

In some cases the stormwater travels to a pump station where it passes through a bar screen to filter out large floatables and debris, which are collected for disposal.

The water remains in a holding tank until it reaches a certain level, then it is automatically discharged into the waterway.

Stormy’s Top 10 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Habits

Stormwater is rainwater that runs off of roofs, lawns, and paved surfaces into the City’s storm drain system. As stormwater flows to storm drains, it picks up or is contaminated by litter, chemicals, sediments, and other pollutants. This untreated water is discharged into local waterways, which can harm the aquatic environment and create public health issues. By practicing Stormy’s Top 10 Habits , you can play a key role in protecting the City’s waterways.

1. Report illegal dumping into the storm drain or sanitary sewer system, clogged storm drains, or overflowing manholes by calling the 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000.
2. Use lawn and garden products sparingly. Use fertilizers with less than two percent phosphorous and organic, biodegradable, non-toxic pesticides.
3. Check all vehicles, motorcycles, boats and other watercraft and outdoor recreational vehicles for leaks.
4. Dispose of household hazardous waste products at a Broward County Household Hazardous Waste drop off site. For information, call 954-765-4999.
5. Maintain swale areas for proper drainage and retention.
6. Sweep paved surfaces instead of hosing them down.
7. Dispose of yard waste and clippings properly.
8. Xeriscape with native, drought and pest resistant plants.
9. Purchase biodegradable, nontoxic, recycled/recyclable products when possible.
10. Pick up pet waste. Leaving pet waste behind is unlawful and is a form of littering punishable under the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Code of Ordinances.