Dive Into Stormwater Pollution Prevention

The City of Fort Lauderdale is known for its beautiful beaches and marine-related activities. The miles of waterways in the City are a major artery for its survival. Without them, tourism would drop and the City’s economic health could suffer. But every day, the City’s waterways are threatened by the possibility of stormwater runoff, the major contributor to surface water pollution.

In 1972, Congress enacted the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, known as the Clean Water Act, to prevent pollutants from reaching our nation’s waterways. An amendment to this Act in 1977 makes it unlawful to discharge any pollutant into navigable bodies of water without a permit. The City of Fort Lauderdale, like other cities, obtained a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to properly manage our waterways. The permit requires the City to develop and implement various stormwater management programs, monitor the pollution of our City’s waterways and increase public awareness to generate proactive behaviors that prevent stormwater pollution.

What is Stormwater Pollution?

Stormwater pollution is untreated water that drains from the surface of streets and yards through 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 (which increases the risk of flooding), 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 activities. The City will also be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing and the need for costly stormwater treatment in the future can be prevented.

How Can You Help Save Our Waterways?

Waterway pollution typically results from unintentional human behaviors. Simple modification of these behaviors will contribute to keeping waterways pollution free. No matter how young or how old, everyone can play a key role in preventing stormwater pollution. By simply adopting the habits below you can make a difference now for yourself, for your children, for the environment and for the future.

For more information on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Stormwater Management Program, please call the 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000.

You can download a two-page flyer on stormwater pollution prevention for printing and distribution (originally published in Focus On Fort Lauderdale).

Where Does Stormwater Go?

Stormwater is carried over the surface and drains into catch basins and storm drains located throughout the City of Fort Lauderdale.

Water then travels through pipes to the pump station. Before the water is discharged, it passes through the bar screen to filter out large floatables and debris.

The water remains in a holding tank until it reaches a certain level. Then it is automatically discharged into the waterways through the gate valves.

Stormy’s Top 10 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Habits

1. Never dump or pour anything down storm drains or catch basins. Report clogged storm drains or illegal dumping by calling 954-828-8000.
2. Check cars for leaks.
3. S.O.S. - Save Our Swales. Maintain swale areas. Do not fill them.
4. Use fertilizers sparingly. Avoid pesticides and herbicides.
5. Dispose of yard waste and clippings properly.
6. Handle and dispose of household hazardous waste properly.
7. Xeriscape - select native plants that are drought and pest resistant.
8. Sweep driveways and walkways instead of hosing them down.
9. Purchase biodegradable, nontoxic, recycled and recyclable products when possible.
10. Pick up pet waste.

Smart Lawn Maintenance Prevents Stormwater Pollution

Keeping your yard green and lean comes with a high price tag for stormwater management and can be a major contributor to stormwater pollution. Garden chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers are transported to the City's waterways via stormwater runoff to storm drains and catch basins. These chemicals may kill pests and weeds, but they also poison fish, kill beneficial insects and contaminate waterways because they are washed off of lawns and landscaping. Some general tips to prevent stormwater pollution that results from lawn and garden care include:

• Use organic or non-toxic pesticides and fertilizers, prefer- ably with slow release.
• Mix and load fertilizers or pesticides on the grass, not on driveways or paved surfaces.
• Only treat problem areas and use enough pesticide for the area being treated. Save extra for future use.
• Do not over fertilize. Excess fertilizer and pesticides can promote the growth of plants and algae that clog our waterways and contaminate fish and wildlife in and around them.
• Do not fertilize prior to rain or if it is windy.
• Do not spray fertilizers or pesticides near waterways, ponds, ditches, streams or lakes.
• Know how to clean up spills and be prepared to do so.
• Dispose of yard waste properly. Do not blow, rake or wash leaves, clippings or excess chemicals into streets, gutters or storm drains.
• Do not over water. It wastes water and washes pollutants into storm drains.
• Dispose of lawn and garden chemical products at hazardous waste drop off sites. Never dump it down a drain.
• Store pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in a dry, covered area to protect containers from deterioration result- ing from exposure.