If you wouldn't drink it, don't dump it!

Volume 12, Issue 3 WaterWatch

Garbage Can Cleaning

It has come to our attention that water discharged from the can can and use a nozzle to in- there are now several entrepre- cleaning activities. This water crease the water pressure and neurs that frequent City of Orem should then be sucked up and spray down all surfaces. residents advertising their services taken away by the contractor for  Pour out the soapy water onto for cleaning outdoor garbage cans. proper disposal. If not, there is the the lawn and rinse. This is a great business opportunity potential for bacteria laden water as most people want to make sure to be released into the gutters and  If extra effort is needed, use a that their garbage cans are as clean storm drains with each cleaning. If solution of 3/4 cup chlorine and germ free as possible. In other you see a company that is cleaning bleach, 1 gallon water and 1 cases, it may be a requirement for garbage cans and letting their water tablespoon powdered laundry homeowners in certain home- discharge to gutters, you can call detergent. Pour the solution owner’s associations to keep gar- our stormwater hotline at 801-229 into the bottom of the can and bage cans in garages. Either way we -7577. let it sit for at least 15 minutes. thought we should get a few items out regarding trash can cleaning. Here are some tips if you decide to clean your gar- First, the City of Orem neither en- bage can yourself. dorses, nor discourages the use of  The best time to clean contractors to clean garbage cans. your can is right after If you see a notice stating that gar- the trash has been bage cans may or will be cleaned in picked up. If you can’t your area, realize that this is not a do it the same day, service provided nor mandated by store your trash in bags the City. Garbage can cleaning ser- until you can get to it. vices may be very helpful for resi- dents that don't have a lot of time  Put the can in a place to attend to garbage bins. There is that can get wet and however a stormwater concern as- won’t drain to the gut- sociated with garbage can cleaning. ter or storm drain. Your The question is, where is that nasty lawn acts as a filter and stuff that gets washed out of the is a good place for dis- trash can going to go? charge water to go.  Put dish soap in the Any contractor you hire should bottom of the garbage have a system set up that captures Scrub the can with a long handle brush.  After draining, turn the If you wouldn't drink it, don't dump it! can right side up and let it dry in the sun.  When dry, spray with a StormwaterStorm Water Hotline: 801-229-7577 disinfectant. Sources: 801-229-7577 http://www.idreamofclean.net/2011/ 05/04/the-easiest-way-to-clean-out-a- large-outdoor-garbage-can/ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/ City of Orem Public Works 2012/04/how-to-clean-those-smelly- outdoor-trash-cans.html 1450 W 550 North

Orem, UT 84057 Pet Waste Bag Dispensers

Many people enjoy having pets and Nutrients from pet waste cause a To make this easier and more conven- caring for them. But have you thought process known as eutrophication. ient, the City provides pet waste bag about the impact pets may have on This leads to an increase in weed and dispensers in City parks and parkways. water quality? In reality, pet waste can algae growth. The weeds and green be a major polluter. Studies in Seattle water can make boating and fishing Another suggestion is to bury the have shown pet waste to be the main difficult or undesirable. This greening waste. It is suggested that you dig a pollutant in one its main waterways. of the water can block sunlight affect- hole at least one foot deep. You can ing bottom-rooted plants. When nutri- then place three to four inches of So what problems can occur when pet ent levels lessen, the weeds and algae waste in the hole and cover it with at owners allow pet waste to be washed decompose using oxygen and possibly least eight inches of soil. into storm water? There are two pol- causing fish kills. Other sources of lutants that come from pet waste that nutrient pollution in storm water in- Keep buried waste away from vegeta- can cause problems for water quality: clude leaves and grass clippings as well ble gardens and water sources. Don’t nutrients and bacteria. as excess fertilizers. add pet waste to compost. It will not get hot enough to kill pathogens Bacteria from pet wastes can found in pet waste. cause a variety of symptoms from nausea to diarrhea to We should remember that pets don’t rash and even death in people pollute, people do. Please clean up with weak immune systems. after your pets. City ordinance requires pet owners to clean up after pets. Sources Violations can result in fines. Johnson, Carolyn. Pet Waste And Water Qual- In addition, flushing pet waste ity. University of Wisconsin Extension. Madi- son, Wisonson, 1999. down the toilet is against City Eggan, Dan. “Creek Pollution Pinned On Code. Pooches”. Washington Post. June 8, 1998. p C1. So how can a pet owner take United States Environmental Protection care of waste responsibly? Agency. “Public Education and Outreach on There are a couple of options Storm Water Impacts”. Http://cfpub.epa.gov/ for pet waste disposal. npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/edu_8.cfm. City of Seattle. “What’s the Problem With Pet The first option is to bag the Waste?”. Http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/ surfacewater/bmp/petwaste.htm. pet waste and throw it away in University of Wisconsin Extension. “Brown the garbage. This is a legal Water, Green Weeds”. Madison, Wisconsin. way to dispose of pet waste.