雨雪天气之后的, 雨水穿过院子, 下车道, 在街道上, 进入集水池. Catch basins are the grates on the sides of streets and they connect to the storm drain system, 输送水, 未经处理的, 进入我们当地的水道, 包括波士顿港和查尔斯河, Neponset, 和神秘河.
As stormwater travels into the catch basins, 它能冲洗农药, 化肥, 宠物浪费, 垃圾和碎片, 汽车液体, 机油, and other pollutants into the storm drain system. As these pollutants enter local waterways, they can be harmful to water quality and the environment.
All Boston residents play a role in reducing and preventing stormwater pollution.
居民
Learn what pollutants are commonly found on our streets and how to prevent them from entering the storm drains. Also learn what to do with used 机油, 汽油, 防冻剂, 清洗剂, 农药, 和油漆.
BWSC's stormwater system collects rainwater and snowmelt from rooftops and pavement and discharges this runoff, 如果不治疗, 进入最近的接收水域. 雨水在地面上流淌, it picks up pollutants and debris that have been carelessly or illegally deposited onto our streets or directly into the storm drains. 这些污染物包括用过的机油, 汽油, 防冻剂, 清洗剂, 农药或化肥和油漆. Debris commonly found in storm drains include 宠物浪费, cigarette butts, yard clippings, and 沙子. In addition, car washing and lawn watering can also contribute to the pollution of the waterways.
Here are some things you can do to prevent pollutants from entering the storm drains:
- Never pour any hazardous materials into a storm drain. 这包括使用过的机油, 汽油, 防冻剂, 清洗剂, 农药或化肥和油漆. For proper disposal of these items, go to the City of Boston’s Department of Public Works 网站
- Sweep up and remove 垃圾 and 沙子 from sidewalks and driveways to prevent these materials from being carried into storm drains by stormwater runoff or snowmelt. Dispose of these materials in the trash
- Collect leaf 垃圾 and yard clippings and donate them to a local community garden for use as compost
- Use landscaping 化肥和农药 sparingly or not at all. Landscaping chemicals should not be applied when rain is forecasted
- Clean up outdoor spills using dry methods such as sweeping, applying absorbent towels or spreading cat 垃圾. If not hazardous, place the material in the trash. If hazardous, dispose of the material at one of the City of Boston’s drop off sites
- Never hose down a spill into the storm drain. If you must hose down an area, direct the runoff towards a grassy landscaped area.Detergents and chemical cleaners should not be used to wash sidewalks or driveways
- If you see a storm drain that is clogged with debris, report it to BWSC for cleaning
- Reduce exposure to household chemicals by using non-toxic alternative cleaners
为企业
Business owners have a responsibility for all pollutants leaving their property, including contaminated stormwater which enters the storm drain. Common pollutants generated by businesses such as automotive and food and beverage establishments include used 机油, 防冻剂, 化肥和农药, 沙子, 污垢, 垃圾, 油漆, 食用油和烟头.
这些建议包括:
- 妥善处理所有污染物. If you are unsure as to how to dispose of certain material, consult the manufacturer or contact the Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Hotline for Businesses at 617-292-5898
- 提供社区设施. Place trash receptacles in highly visible areas, including receptacles for cigarette butts
- 保持公共场所清洁. Sweep outdoor areas and dispose of debris into the trash and not into a storm drain. Hose down areas and direct the runoff away from the storm drain
- Dispose of leaf 垃圾 into the trash and not into a storm drain
- 维护固体废物容器. Locate these containers away from storm drains. Have the container cleaned on a regular basis and store adequate spill equipment on-site to clean up spills and releases
- 洗涤水的处理. Never pour wash water onto a parking lot or into storm drains. Wash water should be disposed of into a janitorial sink or a floor drain that is properly connected to the sanitary sewer system
- Installation and disposal for restaurant owners. Install and maintain grease traps and properly dispose of cooking oil. Never pour grease or cooking oil into sinks, floor drains, or into a storm drain
建筑工地
As stormwater flows over a construction site, it picks up pollutants that are transported into the drainage system.
主人, developers or general contractors are responsible for stormwater management on their construction sites. 雨水 runoff is rain or snowmelt that cannot be absorbed by the soil and instead washes off the surface of the land. As stormwater flows over a construction site, it picks up pollutants that may be transported into nearby receiving waters such as rivers or the harbor.
为了避免这种污染, a construction site may require permits from federal, 州和地方当局. Visit the 雨水 许可证 for Construction page to determine if you need a stormwater discharge permit or other permits for your construction activity.
建筑雨水许可证