STORM WATER RUNOFF IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS
Why is storm water runoff a problem?
Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream or river. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.
Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people. Sediment can destroy aquatic habitats. Excess nutrients remove oxygen from the water that fish and other aquatic organisms need to exist. Bacteria and pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making closures necessary.
We can do our part by never depositing debris such as bottles, cans, cigarette butts, and household hazardous wastes like paint, solvents, insecticides, pesticides, used motor oil, and other fluids into storm sewers. Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.
The PA Department of
Environmental Protection has issued a National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (#1383308) jointly to the City of
Farrell and City of Sharon. The NPDES permit authorizes each City
to discharge storm water from their respective Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer System to area streams and rivers. As a condition of the
permit, the Cities are required to provide informational material to the
public explaining the relationship between storm water runoff from urban
areas and water quality in the streams and rivers into which the storm
water discharges. The information published herein is part of this
distribution process. For additional information you may contact:
Mr. James Branca, City of Farrell, Water Pollution Control Plant
Superintendent, 500 Roemer Boulevard, Farrell, PA 16121, (724)
983-2713.
REMEMBER: CLEAN WATER IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
MAKE YOUR HOME THE SOLUTION TO STORM WATER POLLUTION
Healthy Household Habits for Clean Water:
Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing in the storm drain and eventually into your local water body.
Check your car, boat, motorcycle, and other machinery and equipment for leaks and spills. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material like kitty litter or sand, and do not rinse the spills into a storm drain. Recycle used oil and other automotive fluids at participating service stations.
Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. Avoid application if the forecast calls for rain; otherwise, chemicals will be washed into your local stream. Sweep up yard debris rather than hosing down areas. Compost or recycle yard waste when possible. Do not over water your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day, and do not let water run off into storm drains.
Use hazardous substances like paints, solvents, and cleaners in the smallest amounts possible, and follow directions on the label. Clean up spills immediately and dispose of the waste safely. Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Properly dispose of excess paints through a household hazardous waste collection program, or donate unused paint to local organizations.
When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria to wash into local water bodies.
For additional information, you may contact Jim Branca, City of Farrell Water Quality Manager at 500 Roemer Boulevard, Farrell, PA 16121.
REMEMBER: CLEAN WATER IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
The 4 Locations have been tested and results are shown below. All results conform to state and federal guidelines.
March 03, 2009 Analysis
April 30, 2010 Analysis