Water Pollution PRevention
at
The
average annual rainfall at the school is approximately 20 inches. The school is
located in a residential neighborhood with
When
it rains, water flows over campus and streets carrying the pollutants it picks
up into storm drains. Storm drains are
not connected to the wastewater treatment plant. Therefore, the pollutant water flows directly
into our streams and ocean.
Pollutant
means any hazardous waste, petroleum products, pesticides, detergents, chemical
fertilizers, sewage sludge, animal waste, soil erosion and soil, accumulation
of sediments, and construction waste and materials.
WHAT YOU
CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT WATER
STAFF ACTIVITIES
Use water wisely. By conserving
water, the amount of wastewater needing treatment and disposal will be reduced.
Overwatering and runoff can carry pollutants into the
storm drain system.
Use and dispose hazardous substances
properly. Always read the product label and choose the
least toxic alternative. Motor oil, paints, solvents and other chemicals should
not be poured on the ground or down the storm drains, because they can pollute
our streams and ocean. Motor oil is
recycled at oil change locations; other chemical
products should be first used up by buying only the amount needed; typically unused
excess could be evaporated or soaked into clay litter, wrapped in plastic and disposed
with trash. Excess pesticides require
special handling and must be disposed as hazardous waste.
Use fertilizer and pesticides sparingly. Choose the
least toxic alternative such as compost for fertilizer, repellant/resistant
plants and instead of bug sprays, use baited traps. Follow label instructions
and use only the amount needed. Apply outdoors only during dry weather, rain
water can easily carry substances to nearby storm drains and stream.
Landscape the land to prevent erosion. Cover bare
ground with grass, shrubs or trees to hold soil in place. Establish native plantings and provide vegetation
buffer zones along storm drains and stream.
Improve housekeeping. Fix water leaks
throughout campus by replacing faucet washers and toilet flappers as
needed. A slow drip or leak can easily
waste more than 100 gallons of water a week.
Put all litter into trash cans so it does not get washed into the storm
drains or streams.
Implement annual campus cleanup event. Coordinate
cleanup event for the whole campus to collect litter and address any other
issues that would impact storm water quality, such as storage of materials and
soil erosion areas. Maintain record of
litter collected and other changes that impact storm water quality and take
before and after photos of campus.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Study storm water management. Teachers can
address hazards associated with illicit discharges to our storm drains and
streams. Develop steps that can be taken
to reduce storm water pollution.
Learn about good housekeeping. Good housekeeping
practices are simply maintaining a safe, orderly and clean learning
environment. Conduct an individual or
class project to reinforce pollution prevention activities consistent with
protecting storm water.
Learn where your wastewater goes. Investigate
the wastewater drainage process from campus to the ocean via streams, storm and
sewer drains.
Educate others. Conduct an
individual or class project to inform others about protecting our ocean from
pollution.
Participate in annual campus cleanup event.
Participate in a campus cleanup day to collect
litter and address any other issues that would impact storm water quality, such
as storage of materials and soil erosion areas.
REPORT ANY
ILLEGAL DISCHARGE
Report any illegal discharge in our school and
community.
SPILL RESPONSE
-
Local (
-
State Hazard Hotline: 586-4249
(business hours)
247-2191 (after hours)
To
report illegal discharge that has already occurred, call 768-3203 (City Illegal
Dumping Hotline)
Polluted
runoff public outreach: 692-5208 (City),
586-4309 (State)
Share pollution
prevention behaviors and practices
with your family, friends and neighbors
