“Only Rain in Drains”
Pollution on streets and lawns is washed by rain into storm drains, then directly to the ocean and lakes we play in. Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey’s greatest threats to clean and plentiful water, by sharing the responsibility we can keep common pollutants out of stormwater. No materials should be placed in or near storm drains.
Stormwater Management Information
Water from rain and melting snow that flows over lawns, parking lots, and streets is known as stormwater runoff. This water, which travels along gutters, into catch basins and through storm drain pipes and ditches, usually is not treated, it then flows or is discharged into local waterbodies. Along the way, the stormwater picks up trash (fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, styrofoam cups, etc.) and toxins and other pollutants (gas, motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides and pet droppings). This polluted stormwater can kill fish and other wildlife, destroy wildlife habitat, contaminate drinking water sources and force the closing of beaches because of health threats to swimmers. Human activity is largely responsible for the stormwater pollution. Everything that we put on the ground or into the storm drain can end up in our water. Each of us has a responsibility to make sure these contaminants stay out of our water.
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