Seattle Public Schools, Middle School Science
Investigating Wastewater: Solutions & Pollution (SEPUP) Curriculum Workshop
Reading: Preventing Pollution at Home
What You Do Does Matter
Stormwater runoff seeps into the ground, drains to a storm sewer or a drainage ditch, or flows over the ground. Regardless of the way runoff leaves a site, it ends up in a stream, lake, wetland, groundwater, or Puget Sound. Storm water run-off carries oil and grease, fertilizers, pesticides and other toxic chemicals that collect on our roads, rooftops and property. Contaminated stormwater can negatively affect every water body it enters.
The Federal Clean Water Act mandates that cities and counties control the quality of stormwater runoff. One way to achieve this requirement is for homeowners to implement pollution prevention measures on their properties. Single family homeowners contribute significantly to stormwater pollution as well, and there are things that they can and should do to reduce and prevent pollution. Keep our water safe and clean by preventing pollution at its source and it shows that we are all doing our part to protect our quality of life in Seattle.
What You Can Do at Home to Reduce Stormwater Pollution
Waste Disposal and Spills
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Properly dispose of hazardous waste at the county waste management center instead of in the trash.
Never dispose of oils, pesticides, or other chemicals onto driveways, roadways or storm drains. The next rain will wash it into the stormwater and directly into a creek, lake or the Puget Sound.
Car Care
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Keep your vehicle maintained and make sure your automobile isn't leaking fluids.
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Use a car wash not your driveway, keep the soap suds out of the storm drain.
Drive less and use alternate forms of transportation.
Pet Care
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One gram of dog poop the size of a pea contains 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. There are 125,000 dogs just in the city of Seattle. That’s 30,000 pounds of poop per day. Scoop it, bag it and put it in the trash. It’s the law!
Yard and Garden Care
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Stop using lawn and garden chemicals because some of these chemicals will drain into our waterways.
Eliminate fertilizers and pesticides and use natural, nontoxic products instead.
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Sweep up grass clippings, leaves, twigs and put them into a yard waste container or compost pile instead of cleaning walkways with a hose, which can wash yard debris into a storm drain,
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Keep soil in your yard healthy by adding mulch, compost and other organic materials. Healthy soil acts like a sponge to soak up stormwater and filter out pollution.

Seattle Public Schools, Middle School Science
Investigating Wastewater: Solutions & Pollution (SEPUP) Curriculum Workshop
Reading: Preventing Pollution at Home
RESOURCES
“Protecting Washington’s Waters from Stormwater Pollution”, WA State Dept. of Ecology Guide, pub.l #07-10-058. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0710058.html
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“The Science of Stormwater”, King County Stormwater Services. http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/stormwater/introduction/science.aspx
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“Watershed Report: Sustainable Cities 2010 Update CHAPTER 5 Stormwater Pollution” http://www.cedarriver.org/programs/watershed-report/images-and-files/stormwater%20pollution.pdf#rain-garden
Restore Our Waters: Prevent Pollution http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/OurWatersheds/RestoreOurWaters/PreventPollution/index.htm