Stormwater Program Fact Sheet #1

Chappaqua Central School District
66 Roaring Brook Road
Chappaqua, NY 10514 

MS4PY12 Stormwater Program

Fact Sheet #1
September 2021

IMPACTS OF STORMWATER RUNOFF ON OUR DRINKING WATER

For more information contact your stormwater coordinator:
Joe Gramando at 914-238-7210 x1201 or JoGramando@chappaquaschools.org
 

1.  IMPACTS OF STORMWATER RUNOFF ON OUR DRINKING WATER
Stormwater runoff is the leading cause of pollution to our drinking water sources. It runs off impervious surfaces such as rooftops, paved roofs, driveways and parking lots. Runoff may collect pollutants such as oil, pesticides, sediments, bacteria and other chemicals. Pollutants are carried into nearby rivers, lakes and streams as well as groundwater, which can result in contamination of our drinking water supplies. 

 2.  WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Significant improvements can be achieved by controlling contamination at the source.  

In the Kitchen: 

  • Fill your sink or basin when rinsing dishes
  • Only run dishwasher when it is full 
  • Only use garbage disposal when necessary

Laundry: 

  • Run full loads of laundry
  • Avoid the permanent-press cycle, which uses an added 5 gallons 
  • For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load

Fit Faucets and Sinks with Aerators: 

  • Fit faucets and sinks with low-flow aerators, which save water

Drought-Resistant Lawns, Shrubs and Plants: 

  • Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants
  • Ask your local nursery for tips about plants and grasses with low water demand, such as creeping fescue,
  • Consider planting more trees, shrubs, ground covers, instead of grass
  • Use native plants in the flower bed that have adapted to your rainfall conditions 

Efficient Outdoor Watering Systems:

  • Only water the lawn when needed
  • When rainfall is not sufficient, you can greatly reduce the amount of water by utilizing soaker hoses

3.  EMPLOYING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, or "BMPS"
Significant improvements can be achieved by controlling contamination at the source.

Nutrients: 

  • Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen promote the overgrowth of algae and deplete oxygen in the waterway 

Bacteria:

  • Bacteria from animal wastes and illicit connections to sewerage systems make our waterways unsafe for wading and swimming

Oil and Grease:

  • Oil and grease from automobiles cause sheen and odors that make the transfer of oxygen difficult for aquatic organisms

Sediment:

  • Sediment from construction sites cloud waterways and interfere with the habitat of living things that depend on these waterways

Pesticides, Herbicides and Fertilizers:

  • These chemicals affect the health of living organisms and cause ecosystem imbalances

4.  THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE STORMWATER BEST PRACTICES
Alternative stormwater management practices include: 

  • Rain Gardens 
  • Permeable Paving Surfaces
  • Filter Strips
  • Grassed Swales
  • Infiltration Basins
  • Planter Boxes and 
  • Natural Native Vegetation

These are examples of attractive and water-friendly alternatives to the conventional stormwater management practices. Remember because of our location in or near the East of the Hudson Watershed, we have a special responsibility to protect our water resources

SOURCES: The information in this fact sheet was extracted from various EPA publications