Today I gathered the colorful fall leaves along the curb to put in my compost bin. Not only will I have black gold after the leaves decompose to rich soil, those leaves will also no longer be washed into our storm drains when it rains. It is illegal to rake or blow leaves into the street and this is why:
The storm drains in our neighborhoods are piped to the nearest stream, then to the Herring Run, to Back River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay. Whatever goes into the storm drain goes into our streams and the Bay.
Here is a list of what goes into our neighborhood storm drains:
- Rainwater that does not get absorbed by the ground or captured by the trunks and leaves of trees flows onto the street and down the storm drain. Our roads, driveways, rooftops, patios and sidewalks cannot absorb water. These are called impervious surfaces. Even turfgrass lawns absorb very little water. This “stormwater” enters streams from the storm drain system. Heavy rains pour into our streams in high volumes and rapid speeds eroding the stream banks and flooding nearby natural and manmade areas. Organic matter in the eroded soils from the stream banks contributes nutrient pollution to open waterways.
- Chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, oils, heavy metals and de-icing salts are washed into the storm drains from yards, roads, roofs, sidewalks, etc. These pollutants kill fish and other wildlife in streams.
- Leaves and dirt that collect in the gutter get washed into the storm drain polluting our streams with more nutrient rich decaying matter. They can even build up at the storm drain entrance causing flooding in the next storm.
- Trash that is dropped in the street or sidewalks gets washed into the storm drain and then into the streams and the Bay.
- Dog feces that are left out on the lawn or in plastic bags that are dropped on the street get washed into storm drains and then pollute our streams with bacteria and rotting nutrients.
- Anything else that people pour or throw into the storm drain all goes to the stream and the Bay.
What can we do to keep our streams and the Bay clean?
Here are some simple steps we can all take:
- Plant trees, shrubs and garden beds in our yards. A rain garden that is slightly depressed will collect rain until it can be absorbed.
- Disconnect your downspouts if they are piped to the street and redirect the water from your roof into a rainbarrel, concrete splash block, swale or raingarden.
- Stabilize slopes that might otherwise erode with terraces and native plants.
- Use permeable paving such as bricks, flagstones or interlocking stones set in sand for new patios or walkways instead of impervious materials like blacktop or concrete.
- Limit or eliminate chemicals applied to yards, plants, driveways and sidewalks.
- Remove autumn leaves and other debri from the street. Organize your block to keep the storm drain clear.
- Pick up trash on your sidewalks and streets. Join our annual stream clean-up of the Herring Run in the spring.
- Pick up after pets, even in your own yard.
- Teach the children. They are learning from us to protect the health of our waterways and to help keep all our families safe.
For more information and tips see https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/tip3.pdf