Peoria Public Works Recommends Water-Pollution Prevention

Press release from the City of Peoria:

April 21, 2020

April showers may bring May flowers, but did you know excess rainfall can also bring pollution into the mix? This Earth Day, the City of Peoria’s Public Works Department is reminding residents about the need to protect our waterways from things such as litter, chemicals, grass clippings and more.

Why Protect Water?
Water is vital for the life and survival of all plants. When rainfall hits our lawn, much of the grass and vegetation absorb the water, however, not all of the rainfall gets absorbed by plants and soil. Exterior areas such as rooftops, parking lots, driveways and other paved surfaces are impermeable and the excess rainwater runs off of them, heads to nearby storm water infrastructure and may take nearby pollutants and debris along with it.

Practicing the following tips can go a long way in protecting our waterways and environment:

1. Only rain belongs in the drain:do not dump anything down storm drains – including grass clippings, motor oil, pesticides or more, etc.

2. Wash your car over your lawn or gravel: this allows the ground to neutralize the soap and grime from your car rather than sending it directly to our creeks and streams, or consider using a commercial car wash facility that can manage the pollutants.

3. Consider disconnecting your downspouts: plant a rain garden or install a rain barrel to help collect runoff from your roof to be used on your lawn and garden.

4. Be conservative with pesticides and fertilizer: choose organic alternatives when possible and avoid applying them before a storm.

5. Mow your lawn less often: keep your lawn at least 3″ in height to minimize weed growth, reduce the need for watering and decrease the likelihood of pests.

6. Plant native, low maintenance plants and grasses: native plants often have longer root systems, which reduce the amount of chemicals and water needed.

7. Clean up pet waste: bag up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash to prevent harmful bacteria from washing into local waterways.

8. Consider minimizing impervious surfaces around your home: use permeable pavers instead of asphalt or concrete when possible.

9. Do not drain your pool, spa or fountain to a storm drain: allow chlorine to dissipate for several days. Test the water to ensure the residual chlorine is zero before slowly draining to a landscaped area.

You can learn more about wet weather problems and what is causing them on peoriastormwater.com.

This press release was produced by the City of Peoria. The views expressed here are the author’s own.