ONLY RA T I E N L

D N O I A W R N D T M HE STOR

! ! ! Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain flows DID YOU KNOW? BE THE over the ground. Impervious surfaces • Dumping one quart of motor oil into a storm drain can like driveways, sidewalks, and streets SOLUTION prevent stormwater from naturally contaminate 250,000 gallons of water! soaking into the ground. TO • Due to impervious surfaces like pavement and rooftops, Stormwater in urban environments can pick up debris, chemicals, soil, and other a city block generates greater than 5 times more STORMWATER Bayou Rigolette Rocky Bayou pollutants and flow into our storm sewer B i g B a y o u runoff than a woodland area of the samePhilip size! Bayou Bayou Maria system or directly to a lake, stream, IrishIrish DitchDitch 22 POLLUTION • Stormwater pollution can impact our local watersheds. bayou, river, or wetland. Anything that Bayou Rapides IN enters our storm sewer is discharged Brushy Fork Bayou Rapides Spanish Bayou untreated in to waterbodies we use for Rapides Bayou swimming, fishing, and drinking water. B a yyouo u RRapides a p i d e s Bayou Rapides H u f f m a n C r e e k Hynson Bayou Many day-to-day activities can cause ALEXANDRIA Hynson Bayou stormwater runoff pollution. By making Hynson Bayou Bayou Maria small changes in the way we live, we Mc Adams Ditch M i l l B a y o u can reduce the pollution we Hynson Bayou F l a t B a y o u SandyA citizen’s Bayou guide to reducing nonpoint source produce. Pecan Bayou pollution for a cleaner Alexandria D r y B B a a y y o o u u

Horseshoe Canal THE Hinson Bayou Horseshoe Canal

CITY OF Willow Bayou Hynson Bayou To report any suspicious activities related to Williams Branch Diversion Channel stormwater pollution, call the Chatlin Lake Canal

Pecan BayouCity of Alexandria 318-441-6231 Persimmon Bayou

Turkey Bayou Willow Bayou Pecan Bayou For more information, visit our website atBayou Robert NEEDS YOUR HELP! www.cityofalexandriala.com Point Point source pollution is linked mostly WHEN IT RAINS Versus to direct discharges from wastewater treatment plants, factories, urbanized Nonpoint areas, and concentrated animal feeding Source operations. Pollution Nonpoint source pollution comes from many diffuse sources. It occurs when rainfall moves over and through the ground. IT DRAINS ! ! ! As it moves, the runoff picks up pollutants and carries them to lakes, rivers, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water.

COMMON CONTAMINANTS IN POLLUTED RUNOFF REDUCE YOUR IMPACT ON STORMWATER POLLUTION IN ALEXANDRIA Everyday items we use inside and outside of our homes can become part of runoff pollution. Maintain Your Vehicles Here are a few household items that need to be • Keep your vehicle working properly. Fix oil leaks and clean up any spills. properly handled and disposed of, or they will • Dispose of automotive waste, oil, and grease properly. Disposal options include your local become dangerous and damaging pollutants: auto store or the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Manage Your Household Waste HOME • Around your home or when walking your pet, pick up pet waste and dispose in the trash. Detergents, cleaners and solvents • Dispose of solid waste properly. Don’t litter. Outdoor trash and litter Practice Responsible Yard Maintenance Oil and latex paint • Avoid over-watering lawns, which causes excessive runoff. Swimming pool chemicals • Avoid over-use of lawn chemicals. Do not apply chemicals before rain events. VEHICLE AND GARAGE • Reuse yard waste by backyard composting. Oil and grease Manage Your Household Hazardous Waste Cleaning chemicals • Consider, as an option, purchasing non-toxic products. Radiator fluids and antifreeze • Dispose of chemicals and containers according to manufacture’s instructions. Brake pad dust • Use the City of Alexandria Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for proper disposal of chemicals. For more information call Eric Blaylock at 318-473-1344. LAWN AND GARDEN Report Illegal Dumping Pet and animal waste • To report suspicious dumping activities or any unusual substances coming from storm system Clippings, leaves, and soil Pesticides and fertilizers outlets call the City’s First Call at 318-441-6231.