Weather Matters

Weather does matter, especially in relation to storm water. Storm water is the rain and melting snow that flows off streets, playgrounds, parking lots, lawns, and farmland. What happens to this water has a huge impact on water quality and quantity.

Initially rain on pervious surfaces, such as lawns and gardens, will soak into the ground. After awhile, however, the ground becomes saturated and the rain runs off along the surface. On impervious surfaces, such as roofs, roads, driveways, playgrounds, and parking lots, the rain cannot be absorbed at all and therefore immediately becomes runoff. As rain and melted snow runs over the ground and impervious surfaces, it picks up pollutants such as automotive fluids, paints, lawn and garden chemicals, pet waste, and trash. Pollution carried by storm water to a water body is known as non-point source pollution.

In urban areas, much of the pollution laden runoff ends up in storm drains, which are inlets or drains located along curbs or in parking areas that are designed to prevent the streets and properties from flooding. These storm drains then lead to storm sewers, a network of underground pipes. There is a common misconception that these pipes carry the storm water to treatment plants. This is FALSE! In Central Kentucky, the storm sewers lead directly to a nearby creek, river, or lake, dumping out the storm water along with all of the pollutants the storm water collected during its journey. This means that any pollutants on your lawn, playground or driveway impact the water quality of a water body near you!

There are, however, things that you can do to prevent pollution from reaching our waterways.

•	Pick up your pet’s waste
•	Maintain your car to prevent leaks
•	Dispose of trash properly- NEVER dump anything down a storm drain
•	Apply lawn and garden chemicals in accordance with the labels
•	Install a rain barrel

And, you can help Bluegrass PRIDE spread the word that Weather Matters by spreading the word about storm water. Alert others about the fate of runoff by stenciling storm drains. PRIDE is working with schools, scout troops, neighborhood associations and civic groups to organize Storm Drain Stenciling Days. Bluegrass PRIDE has stencils, gloves, safety goggles, and other materials to help facilitate a fun and safe day! There are even stencils in Spanish. PRIDE will also provide door hangers that can be put up in neighborhoods where storm drains are stenciled. All you need to do is call PRIDE toll free at 866.222.1648 or e-mail brenda@kentuckypride.com.