How To Keep Streams Clean

I've worked for several companies over the years that have a body of water nearby. Typically a small stream. An important consideration for any company operating near streams is to keep the stream safe from contamination. Some companies near water could care less. Some near water only care to avoid a fine. Other companies truly care. Over the years I've learned a couple of things that all of us can easily do to keep our streams and waterways safe and clean.

I used to think to myself that you had to be near a stream in order to pollute it.  I mean, that makes sense right? You operate or reside near a stream and you dump old oil or antifreeze or industrial waste of some sort directly into the stream, contaminating it.

Yes, that would hurt the stream. It would clearly hurt it in a direct way.  To my surprise though, I learned that you can directly hurt the stream, even if it is miles away. 

Storm drains! On most streets you'll find storm drains. Those rectangular holes with the big iron grate over it.  Apparently, these storm drains often lead directly to nearby streams. The purpose of a storm drain is to give rainwater a place to go and prevent a neighborhood from flooding. Water is the only thing that should be flowing into a storm drain.

Honestly, nothing else except water should go into a storm drain.  These drains are meant to collect excess rainwater and, ideally, nothing else. Of course, some pollutants are washed down the rain with the rainwater, and, ultimately, into the nearby streams or other body of water. In order to minimize this, there are ways that you personally can help keep our streams clean.

Here are a few things that you can keep in mind and keep streams clean:

1. Whenever washing the exterior of your house or your car, be sure to use biodegradable, environmentally safe cleaning agents. You should be able to tell this by looking at the labeling. Try to avoid letting the cleaner run into the storm drain, but if it does you'll at least know it is safe for the environment.

2. Raking leaves and mowing grass.  I doubt that many, if any, of you rake leaves or mow grass clippings directly into the storm drain. That said, these can very easily wind up into the drain if you pile them up close to the street or into the street. Try to avoid putting leaves or grass near on on the street where the next storm can wash the debris into the drains (then into the stream)

3. If you know you have accidentally dumped a chemical (like used motor oil, etc) into the street or on your lawn or driveway, don't spray it away with your hose.  It'll wind up in the street and then the drain.  Try to mop up the spill with rags or oil-dry material. If the spill is bad, contact your local township for proper disposal of the rags or whatever disposal media you used.

To sum up the above, protect the storm drain near your home like a goal tender protects a goal. Only water should be going down the drain.