WHEN IT RAINS

1. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS After the Storm A Guide to Understanding Storm Water Runoff

2. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS What is Storm Water Runoff? Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets can prevent storm water from naturally soaking into the ground. Consequently, the water “runs off” into a catch basin, a side ditch, or some other storm water collection system that transports the water directly to a river or lake.

3. 40% evaporation 30% evaporation 55% runoff 10% runoff WHEN IT RAINS 25% shallow infiltration IT DRAINS 10% shallow infiltration 25% deep infiltration 5% deep infiltration How groundcover affects the amount of storm water runoff Natural Ground Cover 75% - 100% Impervious Cover

4. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Where does storm water runoff go? Commercial Development Residential Development Water Treatment Plant

5. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS So what’s the big deal? As storm water flows over driveways, lawns, and sidewalks, it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants, and empties into a storm water collection system. Anything that enters a storm water collection system is discharged untreated into the lakes and rivers we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water. Now that point-source pollution has been remediated, polluted runoff currently ranks as one of the nation’s greatest threats to clean water.

6. H2O Test Your Knowledge About 80% of the world is covered by water or ice, leaving the remaining 20% as dry land. What percentage of the earth is covered by water?

7. H2O Test Your Knowledge 97% of the water on earth is salty ocean and 2% is frozen. The remaining 1% is available to meet human needs. What percentage of the world’s water is readily available for humans to use?

8. Construction & Agricultural Sediment Oil, Grease & Toxic Chemicals from Motor Vehicles Pesticides & Nutrients from Lawns & Gardens WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Viruses & Bacteria from Pet Waste & Failing Septic Systems Heavy Metals from Roof Shingles, Motor Vehicles, etc. Possible pollutants in storm water:

9. Harm fish & wildlife populations Kill native vegetation WHEN IT RAINS Foul drinking water supplies IT DRAINS Degrade the watershed in which we live If left uncontrolled, these pollutants can:

10. WHEN IT RAINS • Public Education/Outreach on Storm Water Impacts • Public Involvement/Participation • Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination • Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control • Post-Construction Storm Water Management • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations IT DRAINS The Feds get involved In response to the pollution hazards caused by storm water runoff, the Environmental Protection Agency passed Phase II of the federal Clean Water Act. To comply with this regulation, the Board of Miami County Commissioners and other political subdivisions have coordinated efforts to develop Storm water Management Programs so that pollution caused by runoff in Miami County can be minimized as much as possible. The Storm Water Management Program consists of the following six components, which are targeted for implementation by the end of 2007:

11. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Partner Agencies Coordinating on Storm Water Management • Miami County Commissioners • Miami Conservancy District • Miami Soil & Water Conservation District • Miami County Health Department • Miami County Planning & Zoning • Miami County Engineer’s Office • Local Watershed Groups • OSU Extension • Ohio Environmental Protection Agency • You!

12. H2O Test Your Knowledge The adult body contains about 40 quarts or 10 gallons of water. How many quarts of water are contained in the typical adult human body?

13. H2O Test Your Knowledge A man’s body is 60-65% water while a women’s body is 50-60% water. Muscle tissue contains a large amount of water, while fat tissue contains virtually no water… Whose body contains more water…man’s or woman’s ? you figure it out!

14. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS What is a watershed? A watershed is all the land area that drains to a given body of water. WE ALL LIVE IN A WATERSHED

15. The Great Miami River Watershed WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS

16. PIQUA FLETCHER BRADFORD COVINGTON Middle Great Miami Watershed Miami County Major Watersheds CASSTOWN PLEASANT HILL TROY WHEN IT RAINS Stillwater Watershed IT DRAINS LUDLOW FALLS Honey Creek Watershed LAURA TIPP CITY WEST MILTON POTSDAM Mad River Watershed

17. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS No man is an island… What happens at our location in the watershed, either positive or negative, has a ripple effect on those who live “downstream” from us in the watershed. We all live downstream

18. SEDIMENT Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.

19. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Sources of Sediment Anyplace where bare, non-vegetated soil is exposed to heavy precipitation can be a source of sediment. Large construction sites and plowed agricultural fields have the greatest potential to contribute to sediment loads in local streams and rivers.

20. HAZARDOUS WASTE Insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick from eating diseased fish or ingesting polluted water.

21. EXCESS NUTRIENTS Excess nutrients from fertilizers can cause algae blooms in rivers and lakes. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.

22. BACTERIA Bacteria and other pathogens from animal waste or failing septic systems can migrate into receiving waters of a watershed and create numerous health hazards for humans and animals.

23. DEBRIS Plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, cigarette butts, etc, washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.

24. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Treatment Costs Treatment Costs Polluted storm water can affect drinking water sources which, in turn, can increase drinking water treatment costs.

25. H2O Test Your Knowledge You lose around 3 quarts of water per day through normal elimination, sweating and breathing. If you exercise or live in a humid climate, you may lose another quart. How many quarts of water does the human body lose in a typical day?

26. H2O Test Your Knowledge Toilets use the most, with an average of 27 gallons per person per day. Laundry averages 17 gallons per person per day and showers 14 gallons. What is the largest use of water indoors?

27. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS So what can Average Joe Citizen do? If each of us does our small part in preventing storm water pollution, the results will be significant. There’s a part we can play in each of the following areas: • Household Waste Disposal • Lawn Care • Auto Care • Septic System Maintenance • Pet Waste Disposal • Home Repair & Improvement • Water Conservation

28. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Household Waste Disposal Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don’t pour these onto the ground or into storm drains. It is a violation of state law (ORC 3767.14 and 3767.32) to dispose of oil products, litter, refuse, or other materials into a catch basin that could potentially contaminate a body of water.

29. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Miami County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program Miami County residents can dispose of household hazardous waste materials free of charge four times throughout the year, through an arrangement between the Miami County Engineering Dept. and the Montgomery County Solid Waste District. Items which may be disposed of include pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, old gasoline, propane tanks, gas cans, paint, household cleaners, stains, varnishes, thinners, florescent lights, photographic chemicals, old fire extinguishers, motor oil, antifreeze, wax, adhesives, and sealers. A voucher is required to pre-arrange for disposal. Call 440-3488 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information.

30. Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, apply only the recommended amounts, and avoid application if the forecast calls for rain. • Don’t over water your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day, and don’t let the water run off into the storm drain. • As much as possible, keep leaves, grass and other yard debris from entering the storm drain. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Lawn Care

31. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Auto Care • Wash your car at a commercial car wash that treats its wastewater, or wash your vehicle on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground rather than entering the storm drain . • Repair leaks promptly and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

32. H2O Test Your Knowledge 2,500 gallons of water can be contaminated by a single quart of oil. How many gallons of river water can be polluted by one quart of motor oil?

33. H2O Test Your Knowledge 2,700 gallons. If you have a leaky toilet trap, you could be losing as much as 1 million gallons of water over a three month period, which would add an additional $ 3000 to your quarterly water bill. If a faucet leaks one drop every second for a year, how many gallons of water goes down the drain?

34. Inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary (usually every 3 to 5 years). • Care for the leach field by not driving or parking vehicles on it. Plant only grass over and near the leach lines to avoid damage from tree roots. • Avoid flushing paint, pesticides, oil or other household chemicals into the system, as well as diapers, paper towels and cat litter, which can clog the leach lines. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Septic System Maintenance

35. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Pet Waste Disposal Many public walking trails and bike paths now provide pet litter stations to use for disposal of pet waste. Using these stations, and picking up after “Bruno” when he does his business during a neighborhood jaunt, will help to keep bacteria and excess nutrients from entering the storm water collection system during a heavy rain, and eventually ending up in the river.

36. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Home Repair & Improvement • Whenever possible, purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable products. • After using latex paints, clean paint brushes in a sink rather than in the yard. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil-based paints. • As much as possible, limit the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces onto lawns to increase infiltration and reduce runoff. • Sweep up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar. • Repair leaky faucets and toilets right away.

37. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Water Conservation • Run the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are fully loaded. By doing so, each residence can save between 300-800 gallons of water monthly. (…or better yet, chuck the dishwasher and clean by hand) • Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving. Consider reducing shower times by a couple minutes. The water conserved may seem insignificant, but it will add up to a surprising amount over time.

38. H2O Test Your Knowledge Lawn sprinkling is the largest use of water outdoors? What is the largest use of water outdoors?

39. H2O Test Your Knowledge The Missouri River runs for 2,540 miles, longest in the United States. The Mississippi comes in second at 2,340 miles. What‘s the longest river in the United States? Bonus: Where does the Missouri River originate? Williston, North Dakota Blair, Nebraska Three Forks, Montana

40. Middle Great Miami Watershed Alliance • Stillwater Watershed Project • Honey Creek Watershed Association • Upper Great Miami Watershed Project WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Other things you can do • Join a local watershed group • Participate in a river clean up • Stay educated on storm water issues

41. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS And, most importantly… Use our recreational water resources (fish, canoe, hike, camp, etc.)

42. WHEN IT RAINS IT DRAINS Remember...