Water Quality
Module 3

Lesson 1- Stormwater Management: Reducing Pollutants In Runoff, Activity
Acknowledgement: Taken from "Living on the Land 2001"

 

LOW RISK

MEDIUM RISK

HIGH RISK

YOUR RISK
Automotive wastes

Oil drips and fluid spills are cleaned up. Dirty car parts and other vehicle wastes are kept out of reach of stormwater runoff.

Drips and spills are not cleaned up. Car parts and other vehicle wastes are left on unpaved areas outside.

Used oil, antifreeze, and other wastes are dumped down the storm sewer, in a ditch, or on the ground.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Car washing

Cars and trucks are taken to a commercial car wash or spray booth.

Cars, trucks, or other items are washed on a lawn or gravel drive.

Cars, trucks, or other items are washed on a driveway, street, or other paved area.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Storage of pesticides, fertilizers, and other potentially harmful chemicals

Chemicals are stored in waterproof containers in a garage, shed or basement that is protected from stormwater.

Chemicals are stored in waterproof containers but within reach of stormwater.

Chemicals are stored in non-waterproof containers outdoors or within reach of stormwater.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Handling and use of pesticides, fertilizers, and outdoor chemicals

Spills are cleaned up immediately, particularly on paved surfaces. Minimum amounts of chemicals are applied according to label instructions. Applications are delayed to avoid rain.

Applications are not delayed to avoid rain.

Spills are not cleaned up. Products are used in higher amounts than what is recommended on the label.

Applications are made when rain is expected.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
    •

Pet and animal wastes

Animal and pet wastes are flushed down the toilet; buried away from gardens, wells, ditches, or areas where children play; or wrapped and placed in the garbage for disposal.*

Animal wastes are left to decompose on grass or soil. Wastes are scattered over a wide area.

Animal wastes are left on paved surfaces, concentrated in pen or yard areas, or dumped down a storm drain or in a ditch.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste

Grass clippings, leaves, and other yard wastes are swept off paved surfaces and onto lawns away from water flow routes. Leaves and other yard wastes are composted.

Leaves and other yard wastes are piled on the lawn next to the street for collection.

Grass clippings, leaves, and other yard wastes are left on the driveways, streets, and other paved areas to be carried off by stormwater. Yard waste is burned on-site.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Bare soil in lawns and gardens

Bare spots in the lawn are promptly seeded and topped with a layer of straw or mulch. Bare soil in gardens is covered with mulch.

Grass or other ground cover is spotty, particularly on slopes.

Sloping areas in the lawn or garden are left without mulch or vegetation for long periods.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Bare soil during construction

Bare soil is seeded and mulched as soon as possible (before construction is completed). Sediment barriers are used until grass covers soil.

Soil is left bare until construction is completed. Sediment barriers are installed and maintained to detain muddy runoff until grass covers soil.

Soil is left bare and no sediment barriers are used.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Paved surfaces

Paved surfaces are minimized. Alternatives such as wood chips or paving blocks are used for walkways, patios, and other areas.

Some small areas are paved for patios, driveways, or basketball.

Paved surfaces are used extensively.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Basement protection

Stormwater is diverted from basement windows by window well covers and other devices. Yard is sloped away from the foundation. Downspouts direct roof drainage away from the house.

No special water diversion methods are installed, but stormwater has never entered the basement.

No water diversion methods are attempted. Stormwater runoff has entered the basement or flows near foundation.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Roof drainage

Downspouts and drip lines direct roof drainage onto a lawn or garden where water soaks into the ground.

Some downspouts and drip lines discharge water onto paved surfaces or grassy areas where water runs off.

Most or all drip lines or downspouts discharge onto paved surfaces, or downspouts are connected directly to storm drains.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

Landscaping and buffer strips

Yard is landscaped to slow the flow of stormwater and provide areas where water soaks into the ground. Unmowed buffer strips of thick vegetation are left along streams or lakeshores.

No areas are landscaped to encourage water to soak in, but yard is relatively flat and little runoff occurs. Mowed grass or spotty vegetation exists adjacent to a stream or lake.

There is no landscaping to slow the flow of stormwater, especially on hilly, erodible properties. Stream banks or lakeshores are eroding.
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High

*Be sure to check local regulations regarding burying or landfilling pet and animal wastes.

Source: Home*A*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87.

Write all the risks you can think of that might apply to your property in the spaces below

What can you do to reduce the risks?

When will you complete the actions?

Sample: Animal waste is piled in areas where runoff occurs.

Pile waste on impervious surface and redirect runoff away from the pile.

Two weeks from today: March 6

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Adapted with permission from Home*A*Syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home, NRAES-87.

 

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