Just read a great article on RIS about the 5 things not to put down your drain, and sometimes they are referring to the storm drain.
1. Grease. It can clog your drains when it hardens and make sewage back up into your house!! Yuck. Keep a large can under the sink to pour cooking grease into and then when full take it to a full-service recycler.
2. Motor Oil. Don't pour it down the outside drain. Those drain to waterways. One gallon can contaminate a million gallons of water. Again, take it to a full-service recycler.
3." Fertilizers. Nutrient overload causes algae to bloom which removes oxygen from the water. That litterally chokes the life from vital water creatures that help improve the water's quality. To avoid all that, use ONLY the amount of lawn chemicals you truly need and only when and where you need it."
4. Old or unwanted medicine. Don't flush unused meds unless it specificaly says so on the bottle. "Instead, throw the medicine in the trash in a sealed bag with coffee grounds or find a responsible medicine disposal company. Many pharmacies partner with companies that will take care of your old prescriptions properly and some of those companies allow you to reutrn your medications to them directly. Go to DoYourPar.com/Columns for more resources. "
5. " Pet waste. Don't forget to scoop the poop as pet waste is considered raw sewage because it contains parasites and harmful microorganisms that can be transmitted to humans. When it rains, these parasites and bacteria can be washed into nearby storm drains. It is best to clean up after your pet and dispose of it in the trashcan."
Terri Bennett the author is a tv meteorologist, eco-expert and author of Do Your Part: A practical guide for everyday green living available at DoYourPart.com. send questions to terri@doyourpart.com
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