What is Stormwater?
When it rains, the water flows over our rooftops, our yards, and everything else around us. As it travels it picks up pollutants like trash, oil, sediment, and pet waste along with anything else in its path.
Pavement and concrete don’t absorb water so it flows towards storm drain inlets in the curbs. Once the water enters the inlet it travels through pipes until it arrives at the nearest creek or waterway. The water is not cleaned along the way and everything it has picked up flows into the creek as well. The easiest way to keep the creeks clean is to remove the pollutants from the very beginning.
You can help!
- Don’t be a litterbug and never throw trash into a storm drain inlet or on the street.
- Remind grownups to never put paint, oil or grass clippings into a storm drain inlet. Leaving the grass clippings on the yard is actually good for the grass!
- Pick up after you pets when you take them on walks and in your own yard.
- Remind grownups not to fertilize your lawn if rain is expected in the forecast.
- Volunteer to install inlet markers.
Volunteer
Your family, scout troop or school club can volunteer to clean up around creeks or put storm drain inlet markers on the curbs in neighborhoods that remind people that stormwater drains to creeks. For more information please call the Stormwater Program at (512) 218-7046 or email us.
Support for Schools and Educators
The Stormwater Program has a physical model and educational materials on hand to educate students about non-point source pollution. As schedules permit, staff can bring the model to science fairs and other school or educational events. Please email Stormwater staff for more information.
Other Resources
Get more information about water quality from these great resources for kids and educators. Games, lesson plans, experiments and printouts are available.
