public works
Storm Drain Stenciling Program
Altamonte Springs residents and business owners may have noticed new “fish” around the storm sewer inlets in their neighborhoods and businesses. The City’s Stormwater Division has been busy making sure that we all are aware of the storm drains, and how they are directly connected to the quality of water in our lakes and water bodies, which affects the beauty of our city and the quality of life that we enjoy. The City is using a blue stencil with a fish that says, “No Dumping! Drains to Waterway”. The stencils have been placed at a number of inlets that are part of Altamonte Springs’ Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
Why should people be concerned about what enters a storm drain? Because anything that is flushed down a storm drain is not “treated” before it reaches a body of water. This means that oil, antifreeze, paint, grass clippings, household waste, pet wastes, or any other waste on the streets, sidewalks, and driveways goes directly into these bodies of water. The next time you wash your car on your driveway, consider where all that soapy water goes. The dirty water runs down the street into the storm sewer. This sewer carries the wash water to a natural body of water, such as a lake or pond. In the water, the soap acts like a fertilizer for aquatic plants and causes too much plant growth, which creates problems for the fish!
You can help increase awareness of the storm drain connection by pointing out these new stencils to your family, friends, and neighbors. Remember these simple things you can do to prevent runoff pollution of our waters:
- Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads
- Never dump anything down the storm drains
- Vegetate bare spots in your yard
- Compost your yard waste
- Avoid pesticides, if possible
- Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces
- Take your car to the car wash instead of washing your car in your driveway
- Check your car for leaks, and recycle motor oil
- Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly
- And don’t forget to pick up after your pet!
For more information please call (407) 571-8331 or email dmarshall@altamonte.org.
