What is Storm Water? ground and pavement  Where to Go to Continue the Information Flow Your community is preventing storm water pollution througha management program. program water pollution from construction, new development, illegal dumping to the storm sewer system, and pollution prevention and good to educate the community and get everyone involved inr making sure the only thing that storm water contributes to our water is. : water! Contact your community's storm water management program coordinator or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for more information about: storm water management.  Storm water is water from precipitation that flows across the melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call storm sewers.These are the drains you see at street corners or at low points on the sides ofs streets. Collectively, the draining water is called storm water runoff. Good Rain Gone Wrong Storm water becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes and erosion of stream flooding travels through a system ofp pipes and roadside ditches that make up storm sewer systems. It eventually flows directly toa lake, river, stream, wetland, or coastal water. All oft the pollutants storm water carries along the way empty into our waters,too, because storm water does not get treated!  when it rains or when snow and ice  storm water housekeeping practices in  addresses storm operations. will also continue It  Storm Be Smart Understanding How Storm Water Affects Your Wallet, Safety, Health, and Environment in Pennsylvania  This municipal  Water  water banks. Storm  pennsylvania DEPARTMENT OFE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.dep.pa.gov 4/2020 G2421-APR20  Pet wastes left ont the ground get carried away bys storm water, contributing harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses to our water. Vehicles drip fluids (oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluids, etc.) onto paved areas where: storm water runoff carries them through ours storm drains andi into our water. de  ayobywo oupasno oq uoos soHy Jos sboqpuos ojurs uD oymoyois sjupingod Jo4o. o1 quoupos sayipo Jayoou uoyprusuoo OJOYM- sou ujpaa wous papajoud" '8 woysks JaMaS woys o41o os soysow Ajonyuono JOIDM wois D4A (soIsom. jed" 4so4 IP 'asoab 1o be)s supinyode eipjnwnooos uoos sjpmopis puos so1b Buppods So ypns saonpns pouopioy oyo puos spooy "sweysis JBWOS woys OpA moyo o4jo ypnurjos oounos -SDOV paApd 1040 pups spoos "4 SWDaus pup pydes 'soyp! op Appoups so ow rays-uo woysis saysow Jowas eyoisuoyiod puD> ypejuoos sweysks: pauppuow Apadoiduy obouowrd o! syuoy> oydose esn SOUMOOWOH woys/s JOMOS woys o4pjoy pod ON woysis aydes"9 sojpmoIsom Kuoo OIP poubisap waysAs JOMOSE D 46nouy SOAD4 sessouisng puDs sosnoyuis so194 puos syus woyp IOJDMOISPM. wosks JOMOSU wors 044 o wodioN- sopo1 "S Ayoboi sojupip wors posn $045 Duoowoss Jou wojsis 041 4Hm wogodo 09F Pinoo syoyoyouy 0J04 Buujois jo Buisodsip sus Buoyn woynouo woyw moyos oso4 JOAU Jo wDeus' aypis ojui JowaS woys 04 wous suoap JOJOM woys oJayms IPno uy waysks JaMOSU 0414 opod IPno owas wois 1 ojuoupu woDsos S14o ozubosaJor quopodws S sypoypon bupq noyn 01 'swoaus orAppop ObIPL uops $141 suojuo 104: Buiyuy "woysks Jawas wois 0413 jouog- sejup ua wois" € woyss sopoypynbou joussayuop polouds JaypM waysAs JoMOS wors o4jop pody ON- uDIpAHZ Guasoyp DOIF pupjoyru woy Jojom wsoys AOAuoo orpesns SOYPP opnpul osyo uDoH sodid psypspnigwopst 041104> x4141 ojdood #sow" woysks woys 0414 vod- 4pua - AAES wasas 1aMaS uos mox 1S2L 01 SIOMSIV  huouuos  Chemicals used tos grow andi maintain beautiful lawns and gardens, ifnot used properly, can run offi into thes storm drains when it rains or when we water our lawns andg gardens. Waste from chemicals and materials usedi in construction can wash into the storm sewer system when it rains.. Soil that erodes from A construction sites causes environmental degradation, including harming. fish and shellfish populations that are important for recreation and our economy.  DSO pesni bupoq woye uswoid  aqjou  eysaus Jayom oy ysnyoys syuppkys uados swaysks ojom Jejua Hing: pamoyp bajow  Jo: 'oypl    What Happens When Itl Rains? Rain is an important part of nature's water cycle, but there are times it can do more damage than good. Problems related to storm water runoff can include:  Test Your Storm Sewer System Savvy! What does the storm: sewer system look like in your community! See if) you can identify which pictures are part of the storm: system (Answers are on the back.)  Restoring Rain's Reputation: What Everyone Can Do' Tol Help Rain nature by isi important replenishing drinking supplies, recreation, and healthy wildlife habitats. It only becomes ap problem when pollutants from our activities like car maintenance, lawn care, and dog walking are left on the ground for rain to wash away. Here are some oft the most important ways to prevent storm water pollution: Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as used oil, cleaning supplies and paint-never pour them down any part of the storm sewer system and report anyone who Use pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff. Look for signs of soil: and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals, leaving construction sites ins storm water runoff or tracked into roads by construction vehicles. Report poorly managed construction sites that could impact storm water runoff to) your community. (See the back oft this brochure for contact information.) Install innovative storm water practices on residential property, such as rain barrels or rain storm water and it on site instead ofl it drain keep away into the storm: sewer system. Report any discharges from storm water outfalls during times of dry, weather-a sign that there could bea with the storm sewer problem Pick up: after pets and dispose of their waste properly. No matter where pets make a mess-in a backyard or at the park-storm water runoff can carry pet waste from the land to the storm sewer system toa stream. Store materials that could pollute storm water indoors and use containers for outdoor storage that do not rust orl leak to eliminate exposure of materials to storm water.  for  wate  Flooding caused by too much storm water flowing over hardened: surfaces such as roads and parking lots, insteadof soaking into the ground.  does.  Increases in spending onr maintaining storm drains and the storm: sewer system that become clogged with excessive amounts ofo dirt and debris.  Decreases ins sportfish populations because storm water carries sediment and pollutants that degrade important fish habitat.  More expensive treatment technologies remove tor harmful pollutants carriedby storm water into our drinking water supplies.  that capture gardens, letting  Closed beaches due tol high levels of bacteria carried by storm water that BEACH CLOSED make swimming unsafe.  system.  We can help rain restore its good reputation while protecting our health and environment while saving money for ourselves and our community. Keep reading to find out how...