MS4 - Coverage Letter
MS4 Final Notice of Coverage
Storm Water Pollution and Prevention
What is storm water run-off?
We commonly think of the water that falls as rain as being pure, but its quality is quickly threatened once it reaches earth. Storm water run-off occurs when precipitation from rain or snow melt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and streets prevent storm water from naturally infiltrating into the ground.
Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, steam, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm water system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.
Homeowner Information
Lawn Care Tips
Don't overwater your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
You can collect rainwater from rooftops mosquito proof containers to be used later for watering lawns and gardens.
Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.
Keep Your Spring Runoff Clean:
Remove pet waste and trash from streets, sidewalks and driveways and put it into the garbage. Actually, flushing pet waste is the best disposal method.
Clean gutters regularly. Put leaves in your compost pile or bag with other yard trimmings to be taken to your City’s compost site if this is available to you.
Restore Your Lawn:
Remove debris and yard trimmings.
Reseed bare spots. If spots are caused by salt, reseed with a salt-tolerant grass mix.
Lightly mulch newly seeded areas with straw and keep moist for three or four weeks.
Control soil-erosion around your home. When left bare soil washes away easily with rain and carries phosphorus with it. Soil erosion can be prevented by keeping soil covered with vegetation or mulch.
Consider planting a rain garden or grassy swale. These are specifically designed areas planted with native plants that can provide a natural place for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftops or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains.
Septic Systems: Leaking or poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by stormwater and discharged into nearby waterbodies.
Inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary.
Don't dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets. (See Houston County's Household Hazardous Wastes Collection dates in the recycling brochure below)
Auto care: Washing your car and de-greasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm water system.
Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard (not your driveway) so the water infiltrates into the ground.
Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.
No Dumping:
Don’t dump paint, solvents, used oils, automotive fluids, or RV and camper waste. Not only is it illegal, but it can pollute area lakes, rivers, and streams.
Please dispose of waste in approved disposal or recycling areas.
Houston County Recycler
Educational Materials:
Make you home The Solution to Stormwater Pollution
After the Storm - A Citizen's Guide to Understanding Stormwater
Stormwater Structures & Mosquitoes
Reduce You Stormwater Runoff
Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure
Water-Efficient Landscaping
How Can I Keep Minnesota Waters Clean?
Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff
Stormwater Placemat Crossword Challenge
Stormwater and the Construction Industry
