University of Wisconsin - Extension

March brings us our first taste of spring. And, believe it or not, real spring is just around the corner -- warm southern breezes, spring showers and water everywhere.

"But along with the good comes the bad," explains Suzanne Wade, University of Wisconsin-Extension Rock River basin educator. "Let's enjoy the buds on the backyard trees and crocuses poking up through the ground. But let's not ignore oily sheens in the parking lot while the snow is melting and washing into the storm drains and the muddy water flowing down the ditches and gutters."

Now is a good time to stop and ask, "What happens to all that melting snow and rain water washing across the ground? Most of it ends up in our lakes and streams, with some unpleasant additions along the way," Wade says.

"Stormwater starts its journey to our lakes and river when it washes across the surface of the land. Whenever snow melts or rain falls, the water flows across streets, rooftops, lawns and farmland," Wade explains. "The flowing water picks up sand, salt, fertilizer, pesticides, oil, litter and many other pollutants. In developed areas, the large amount of runoff water travels directly to lakes and streams through our storm sewers."

Storm sewers are simply pipes laid underground beneath the streets. Inlets located along the curbs and in parking lots collect the runoff, which then flows untreated to outlets at nearby streams and lakes. "A common misconception is that water running off streets goes into a sewage treatment plant and is cleaned," Wade says. "It does not. The polluted water flows directly into our lakes or our rivers."

"The first step toward keeping our lakes and streams clean is to think about what we do on land, all of us can take positive action to keep our stormwater running clear," adds Wade.

She offers the following simple tips:

• Don't allow grass or soil to wash off your property and into the street or storm drain.
• Never dump gas, oil or antifreeze on the ground or into a storm drain.
• Divert roof water to lawns or gardens where it can soak in.
• Clean up pet waste, bury it or flush it down the toilet.
• Don't burn leaves and yard debris in the roadside ditch or curb. Burn in your yard or garden and use the ash for fertilizer.
• Keep cars tuned up and repair leaks or better yet, walk or ride a bike.