Reining in RUNOFFa citizen’s guide to protecting our water resources from runoff pollution Table of Contents Map of South Carolina Major River Basins ........................................................................................................................... iv Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 What’s in Runoff Pollution? ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 Runoff Pollution: Where Does It Come From? What Can We Do About It? ....................................................................... 4 Lawns and Gardens .................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Household Chemicals .............................................................................................................................................................................................5 Solid Waste Disposal ...............................................................................................................................................................................................7 Water Efficiency ........................................................................................................................................................................................................8 Motor Vehicles ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Boats ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Septic Systems .........................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Pet Waste .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Hard Surfaces.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Farms ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................14 Forestry ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Air Emissions ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Construction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................17 Why Should We Care? ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................................................23 Contact Information & Links ................................................................................................................................................26 DHEC Environmental Affairs Regional Offices .................................................................................................................28 Lake Lake Wylie P Bowen a co le C Lake t a Riv ta e B w r b Jocassee r a o Lake a d Keowee R C i h v a Broad e u r g a R Ty Catawba e E g e n er d or R y ee iv er R Ri Fishing iv ve e r G r Creek r S e a a lu Res. t d P Lake a e R e iv D Hartwell e e r e R iv Parr e r L Reservoir Wateree it t W l Saluda a e Lake t PeeDee Richard B. Br e P o r e e ad e e D Russell R i R v e i e e Lake r v R e r i Greenwood v e Savannah r Lake Murray C o iver n L w R ga yn a y re c m a e he a rw R s c e iv R c at er iv a l W er ta W oas Strom No rac rt nt urmond h F I ork Ed Lake ist o R S ive Lake Bla out r ck h Marion Riv For er k E di sto Ri ver S an te e R ive Edisto r S S a a lk va e n h C n a Lake o a t E o Map of h ch d i i p Santee R e s Moultrie e iv R to r e i R r v iv e e r r R i v e r A sh Salkehatchie le South y C oo sa wh at ch A ie sh ep Carolina oo Major River Legend Major Rivers and Lakes Basins Major River Basins Introduction After the rain… The next time it rains, imagine what happens when the water hits the ground and flows away. Water flowing across streets and parking lots picks up dirt, trash, oil, grease, bits of rubber tires, animal waste, and other things left behind by motor vehicles, people, and animals. Rain falling on construction sites, farmland, timberland, and bare earth becomes muddy with sediment. When not managed properly, golf courses, agricultural fields, home gardens, and lawns may add fertilizers and pesticides to stormwater runoff. Septic tanks in water-logged areas can contribute sewage to the runoff. All of this mixes together and flows away as polluted runoff. Where does it go? Who’s responsible for DID YOU KNOW? Polluted runoff flows directly into runoff pollution? Runoff pollution is the #1 source of our streams, lakes, rivers, ocean, and water pollution in South Carolina Everyone, in one way or another, is and the United States. coastal waters. Very little polluted likely to be part of the problem. This runoff is treated before it means that everyone can also be reaches a waterway. part of the solution! This handbook Besides affecting fish and other is a guide to the major causes of wildlife, this kind of pollution can the problem, and what individuals, also contaminate our drinking water families, and community groups can supplies. Since runoff pollution comes do to rein in runoff pollution. It’s up from so many different sources, it is to us! difficult to regulate. However, point sources such as outfalls from sewage treatment plants or industrial facilities have been regulated under state and federal laws since the early 1970s. 1 2 What’s in Runoff Pollution? Here are some of the things that can Bacteria Trash be found in runoff pollution: Source: Raw sewage from failing Source: Paper, plastic containers and • Bacteria septic systems, overflowing sewer wrappers, cans, cigarette butts, yard • Trash lines, pet waste, farm animals, and waste, and other kinds of trash are wildlife can all be sources of bacteria. often dumped into drainage ditches or • Heavy Metals Effect: Stormwater contaminated alongside roadways. • Mercury from these sources can contain Effect: When carried into our bacteria and viruses that may cause waterways by stormwater, this trash • Fertilizers & Nutrients illnesses in people after swimming can use up oxygen, change habitats in contaminated lakes, rivers, or for aquatic life, and physically damage • Sediment the ocean. Illnesses may also occur fish, birds, and other animals. Even • Motor Vehicle Fluids after the consumption of raw or if trash is buried or burned, harmful improperly cooked shellfish from chemicals can still be released from • Pesticides these contaminated areas. dumpsites or as air pollution. Heavy Metals DID YOU KNOW? Source: Motor vehicle wastes contain Even if the bacteria present are not directly dangerous to humans, they can a variety of heavy metals like lead and still cause shellfish beds to be closed to commercial and recreational oyster copper, as well as harmful organic and clam harvesting. When health officials test water quality, they usually chemicals. Used batteries contain zinc, don’t try to identify every type of bacteria or virus that might be harmful. lead, and mercury. Instead, they look for bacteria that are always found in the intestines of mammals (known as Fecal Coliform bacteria). If these bacteria are found, Effect: Heavy metals can be harmful they may indicate the presence of other harmful organisms. Therefore, the to humans and aquatic life. areas are closed to oyster and clam harvesting to protect human health. Fertilizers & Nutrients Pesticides Source: All plants need nutrients to Source: Farmers, home gardeners, grow and reproduce. Three major and golf course operators often use nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, various chemicals to control pests. and potassium, and stormwater can Many households use weed killers, pet collect these nutrients from fertilizers, shampoos, flea collars, and no-pest DID YOU KNOW? household chemicals, and pet waste. strips containing chemicals that can be Sediment can absorb Effect: Excess nutrients in streams, harmful to other plants and animals in contaminants like heavy metals, addition to the pests of concern. oils, and