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What Is Rainwater? Remember: What We Do on Our Land Affects CALM SWIRLING the Quality of the Water We Drink and Use

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What Is Rainwater? Remember: What We Do on Our Land Affects CALM SWIRLING the Quality of the Water We Drink and Use Rain, rain come this way On my yard you’re asked to stay I want to feed my plants today Rain, rain don’t go away What Is Stormwater? What Is Rainwater? Remember: What we do on our land affects CALM SWIRLING the quality of the water we drink and use. CLEAR DIRTY COOL WARM Natural things such as soil, VALUABLE leaves, grass clippings and pet WASTED waste can cause water pollution. Waste dumped into storm drains goes into lakes and streams Rainwater is nature’s Stormwater causes without treatment. way of renewing problems in our our water systems. fresh water systems. Many small sources of pollution add up to big water quality Rainwater accesses Stormwater is rainwater problems. natural paths as part that is channeled past Vehicles cause water pollution as well of the water cycle. important natural paths. as air pollution. We each contribute to the problem. We each need to contribute to the solution. Rainwater is a valuable Stormwater is resource that is often rainwater that picks lost. Rainwater up pollution as it should be held and flows over hard used on the land surfaces and runs where it falls. off our properties. Rain, Stormwater Management Systems Information and Education Program Center for Environmental Study The City of Grand Rapids 528 Bridge St. NW, 1-C Environmental Protection Services Dept Rain … Grand Rapids, MI 49504 1300 Market SW 616-988-2854 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.cesmi.org 616-456-3625 PFL Order#35013025 NATURAL SYSTEM URBAN SYSTEM Stormwater Path Rainwater Path Rain that falls directly to the ground and runs off Rain that falls on natural areas follows steps hard surfaces to the storm drains picks up speed that ensure clean fresh water. and contaminants. UPPER STORY: ROOF RUNOFF: The intertwined branches of mature trees absorb Stormwater collects tar, gravel, bird droppings the full impact of rainfall, breaking up the drops and heat as it runs off rooftops. before they reach lower levels of vegetation. THICK LAWN CARPETS: UNDER STORY: Stormwater cannot be absorbed into the lawn The mid-level, made up of young trees or small because the dense root structures act like thick tree species, also slows the speed of the raindrops door mats, holding dirt and contaminants that while using and holding rainwater before gently runoff into the road and storm drains. releasing it onto the next layer. GARBAGE LEAKS: GROUND FLOOR: Garbage spills and discarded trash are carried into This layer of growth is a soft carpet of mosses, the drains. ferns, grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and bushes. VEHICLE DISCHARGES: It holds water, protecting the soil from washout. Fuel, oil, and antifreeze emissions along with LEAF LITTER: metals and rubber are picked up by the swiftly Fallen leaves, branches and plant matter form moving water and carried into the storm drains. a giant sponge, holding moisture and ANIMAL WASTE: releasing it slowly into the soil. Pet waste remains on top of the lawn carpet until SOIL: it is washed into the waterways. The soil layer provides moisture and nutrients FERTILIZERS/CHEMICALS: for plant and tree roots. The moist soil remains Using products to green our gardens and lawns can cool even on the hottest days and is vital to lead to disastrous effects in the waterways. Excess nature’s rainwater drainage system. product causes the water to becomes toxic. What You Can Do To Help: Invite rainwater into your yard—give your everyday activities an extra thought and try these ideas. Use Nature as a model! To Use Rainwater on Site: In Your Landscape: Vehicle Tips: General: * Minimize use of concrete or asphalt by sub- * Stop soil erosion by planting vegetation on all * Keep your vehicles tuned up and repair all leaks. * Walk your dog in areas of vegetation and bury stituting gravel, paving stones or turf stones. bare areas. * Wash your car on the lawn or on gravel. or flush pet wastes. * Direct water from roof drains and gutters to * Minimize or eliminate the use of fertilizers and * Use phosphorus free detergents when washing * Clean litter from the street and stormdrains vegetated areas on your property. pesticides on your lawn. your cars (windows and siding too!). in front of your home. * Install a rain barrel to collect roof runoff. Use it * Use phosphorus free fertilizer when possible. Hazardous Chemicals: * Use salt for snow and ice control sparingly. to slowly soak your landscapes. * Bag or compost yard wastes. * Never pour used oil, paint thinners, and other Choose magnesium or calcium chloride * Use trees, shrubs and other deep rooted plants * Sweep and collect (don’t wash) fertilizer and pollutants into storm drains or on the ground. alternatives when possible. to hold and use water on your property. grass clippings off driveways and walkways. * Clean up spills quickly. * Report any pollution, illegal dumping or soil * Reduce the amount of lawn by adding berms, * Aerate your lawn to increase absorption. * Properly use and store all household chemicals. erosion to the proper authorities. and flower, herb, native plant, decorative grass, * Create buffers of plants between waterways and * Take household hazardous wastes to a * Help build awareness of stormwater pollution vegetable and rain gardens. hard surface areas to help filter out pollutants. recycling/collection center. issues by sharing this information. PFL Order#35013025.
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