Do you wash your driveway with a hose?
Project: Pollution Solutions
It's that time of year again, time to get outside and clean up material that has collected on patios, driveways and along curbs over the winter. If done irresponsibly, these clean up activities lead to large loads of pollutants being carried by surface runoff to our natural waterways.
Responsible landowners should understand the connection between the storm drain on or nearest to their property and our natural waterways. All London storm drains ultimately funnel surface runoff to the Thames River. In the case of the 710-hectare Coves Subwatershed (find a map with the subwatershed boundaries HERE), all surface runoff from storm sewers flows untreated into the Coves ponds. The area surrounding the Coves ponds is considered an Environmentally Significant Area by the City of London, providing vital habitat to a diverse range of bird, reptile, amphibian, and other species. Under normal conditions, when the level of the ponds reaches a maximum height, that water spills over to the Thames River. The Thames River is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America, home to many at-risk fish, reptiles, molluscs and other species. Water from the Thames River flows south to Lake St. Clair and then to Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the source of drinking water for more than 11 million people, including some in south London.
The cycle continues on as water flows from our tap, out to the river and back to our tap again. It is important that we all understand and respect this water system that sustains us and which we all play a role in. Pollution is everybodys problem and it does not disappear just because it has washed out of sight.
All efforts to reduce the volume of surface runoff and the load of sediment, nutrients and other pollutants available to be carried away by surface runoff will help reduce water pollution, protect local drinking water sources, and protect local aquatic systems.
A few tips to reduce water pollution caused by surface runoff from your driveway, sidewalk, etc. :
- Direct eavestrough downspouts to your lawn or garden beds, not down your driveway. Use downspout extenders if you need to move runoff away from your foundation.
- Keep your vehicle in good working order to prevent leaks. Schedule to have any leaks fixed as soon as you notice them.
- Dry up any oil, antifreeze or other spills, however minor they are, with absorbent materials such as sand, cornmeal, sawdust or kitty litter. Sweep up contaminated material and dispose of in the trash.
- Sweep up decaying vegetation, trash and other material that has collected on your driveway, sidewalk or along your curb and dispose of it in the trash. This material is likely contaminated with oil, metals or other pollutants and not suitable for composting. Decaying vegetation also carries high levels of nutrients, such as phosphorus, which are major pollutants of natural waterways.
- Take your vehicle to a commercial car wash or pull it on to your lawn to wash it yourself. Washing vehicles on the lawn prevents soap, sand, oil, small particles of rubber and metals from being carried to waterways. Choose soaps that biodegrade readily and contain low or no phosphorus. Mild soapy water will not harm grass.
- Next time you are thinking of making changes, consider replacing non-permeable surfaces of your driveway, sidewalk or patio with more permeable surfaces, such as bricks, pavers, or gravel.