The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is reminding people how important it is to protect our water on National Stormwater Day.
“We can all take actions to help reduce pollutants carried by stormwater runoff into our surface waters,” EGLE environmental quality analyst Autumn Mitchell said.
Stormwater includes rain, snowmelt, and surface runoff. Stormwater picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, dirt, and pet waste, and then flows directly into surface waters.
“Stormwater runoff carries everything it comes in contact with -- pesticides, fertilizers, oil, soil, leaves, and litter -- into stormwater conveyances or directly into waterbodies. We can all make a difference by taking small actions to protect Michigan’s surface waters,” Mitchell said.
Stormwater is not typically treated at wastewater treatment plants, which means high concentrations of pollutants could end up directly into surface waters. The pollution can harm fish, wildlife, and make the water unsafe for human contact.
Tips to help manage stormwater, protect the environment
Autumn Mitchel shared the following tips to help manage stormwater:
- Clean off stormwater drains. Keep them clear of leaves, litter, and debris.
- Practice good car care. Perform vehicle maintenance in an area where chemicals and fluids won’t be washed into a stormwater drain and properly dispose of the chemicals and fluids.
- Apply fertilizer minimally. Choose a type that releases nutrients gradually, like a “slow-release” fertilizer.
- Clean up after your pet. Pet waste may contain bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms that harm people, other pets, and wildlife.
- Create a rain-friendly yard. A rain garden is an easy and attractive way to capture stormwater runoff to reduce localized flooding.
- Choose native plants. Native plants are more drought-tolerant than other plants due to their deeper roots. Many times, they also require less fertilizer and pest control.
- Reduce bare soil. Increase plants, use mulch, and practice conservation-based gardening to prevent soil from eroding and entering streams, especially along slopes and surface waters.