Stormwater runoff is one of the most significant, yet unnoticed sources of water pollution. Many stormwater contaminants are made up of common items used by most of us such as fertilizers, car oils and greases, yard clippings, soil and pet wastes. By practicing healthy household habits, homeowners can keep these common pollutants off the ground and out of stormwater. Adopt healthy household habits and help protect lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
Clean Water is everybody’s business. To learn what you can do to make your home the solution to stormwater pollution, visit: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-pollution-additional-documents
Your positive actions can help protect clean waters. To learn more about how you can keep water in Jefferson County, and New York State, clean for drinking, swimming, and fishing, visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/public/43661.html
More sustainable, and beautiful, alternatives to a grass lawn: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/more-sustainable-and-beautiful-alternatives-grass-lawn
Stormwater may become contaminated by industrial activities as a result of contact with materials stored outside, spills and leaks from equipment or materials used on site, contact with materials during loading, unloading or transfer from one location to another, and from airborne contaminants.
Before commencing construction activity, the owner or operator of a construction project that will involve soil disturbance of one or more acres must obtain coverage under the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity. To learn more about the requirements, visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/43133.html
Businesses are turning to Green Infrastructure to craft a “green brand” : https://www.urbanstrong.com/green-infrastructure-green-brand/
NYSDEC Green Infrastructure information and funding opportunities: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/68199.html
As a teacher, you can help foster the next generation of environmentally literate, stewardship minded citizens and professionals in your community. Resources and hands on activities are available that align with NYS learning standards and can help you teach your students about water quality issues and how to take care of our water and natural resources.
NYSDEC and NY Sea Grant launched a website for teachers and educators in NY’s Great Lakes basin to access resources, including curriculum, information about issues, organizations, and hands on activities to integrate Great Lakes literacy and stewardship into classrooms. To access these resources, visit:
Teach Engineering curriculum for k-12 educators, storm water lesson plans: https://www.teachengineering.org/curriculum/browse?q=stormwater
US EPA Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Resources for Educators: https://www.epa.gov/students/lesson-plans-teacher-guides-and-online-resources-educators
DEC has environmental education programs and resources that will help everyone become a better steward of the environment. https://www.dec.ny.gov/26.html