Stormwater Pollution

Puget Sound is being polluted. Everyday, there are contaminants washing into our rivers, streams and bays. These pollutants are not just from industries and wastewater treatment plants, they are from us. They come from many sources, such as oil leaks from cars, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, yard waste and litter, to name a few. The rain we love so dearly is washing many of these pollutants into the storm drains, which discharge directly into the nearest body of water without being treated. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to make everyday decisions that will reduce the amount of pollutants that run into our waterways. Here are a few ways you can make a difference in water quality.

1. Don’t work on your car in the street or near a storm drain, practice spill prevention
when changing car fluids and fix any leaks on your car.

2. Either wash your car at a car wash, which recycles the wash water, or wash it in the lawn or gravel. This water can contain detergents, metals from brake pads and oils which can wash into nearby rivers and streams. Use phosphate-free soaps.

3. Recycle car fluids, tires, batteries, used oil and antifreeze. Household batteries can be bagged and placed in your glass recycle bin. Larger car or boat batteries can be taken to the Tacoma Recycling Center (253) 591-5543.

4. Use natural alternatives to chemicals in your lawn and gardens, such as soil amendments and ladybugs. If you do use pesticides and fertilizers, don’t over-apply them.

5. Reduce the paved areas around your home - they allow rain water to run into the storm drains. Instead, use pavers, bricks or alternate paving techniques which let the rain water infiltrate into the ground.

6. Install a rain garden, which can capture stormwater runoff and filter pollutants. For more information on rain garden benefits and installation please visit the following website: http://www.pierce.wsu.edu/Water_Quality/LID/index.htm.

7. Use native plants when landscaping - they require less water and are more pest resistant. For information about where to find native plants, contact the Native Plant Salvage Society at (253) 566-3342. You can also visit their website at http://www.ssstewardship.org.

8. Clean up your pet waste!

9. Ride a bicycle, walk or carpool as an alternative to driving. If your car is not on the road, it can’t contribute to stormwater pollution.

10. Do not dispose of anything in the storm drains.

11. Keep your eyes open for signs of pollution. If you spot someone dumping into a storm drain, an oil spill on the street or sediment runoff from a construction site, contact our water pollution hotline at (253) 383-2429 or (253) 255-3895.  For more information on pollution prevention, please visit the City of Tacoma Website: http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=931