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1. What can you do about illicit discharges?

You can help keep our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater clean by applying the following tips.

• Sweep it. Do you have extra fertilizer, grass clippings, or dirt on your driveway or sidewalk? Sweep it back onto your lawn. Hosing your driveway sends these pollutants
  into storm drains that lead directly to our lakes and rivers.
• Keep it clean. Whether in the street or in your yard, remember to keep leaves, grass clippings, trash, and fertilizers away from storm drains.
• Only rain in the drain. Never dump motor oil, chemicals, pet waste, dirty or soapy water, or anything else down the storm drain. All of these materials pollute our lakes and rivers!
• Clean it. Clean up after your pet to reduce pet waste traveling to local waterways.
• Dispose of it properly. Take household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, etc.) to a local collection event.
• Report it. If you see someone dumping something into a storm drain, or see a direct connection to a storm drain that may be pollution you are encouraged to report it. You can do this by contacting the Public Works/Transportation Department at 305-466- 8970 or contact the Aventura Police Department non-emergency number at 305-466- 8989.

Many people think storm drains connect into the City’s sewage system and that everything placed in the drain will end up at wastewater plants for treatment. In actuality, storm drains lead to local waterways. Here in Aventura, almost all storm drains eventually drain to either the Intracoastal or fresh water aquafer. Debris and contaminants can enter the storm drain system by way of stormwater runoff.

2. What Is runoff?

When it rains, water falls on the ground. If that ground is covered with pavement or buildings, or any other impervious (nonporous) surface the water runs off of the surface and into our curbs, down our storm drains and ends up in our local waterways. Runoff can even occur on previous surfaces when the rainfall is heavy, or the area is sloped and there is nothing to slow the flow of water over the land and into the streets.

3. Why is runoff a problem? Why should I care?

Runoff carries pollutants such as nutrients, oil, dirt, trash, metals, chemicals, and fertilizers into local waterways.

4. Does runoff effect our community?

According to the EPA, "a typical city block generates more than 5 times more runoff than a woodland area of the same size." Not only is there more runoff from developed areas, but there is also a significant increase in both the amount and variety of pollutants in that runoff.

5. What can I do about runoff?

To minimize the runoff from your home or business:

1. Landscape your home and business with Florida native plants and minimize turf areas. This will minimize your irrigation, which of course, reduces runoff. Native plants also do not need chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. This reduces what kind of pollutants runoff your property. The plants will also help to create a more varied terrain to help keep the water on your yard.
2. Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When you do use them, follow the directions and never fertilize before it rains (because then it all runs off).
3. Dispose of used motor oil, paint, and other chemicals at designated locations. Never put these contaminants in a storm drain!
4. Re-use your yard waste (leaves, grass cuttings, etc.) in your yard for mulch and soil augmentation. If you need to dispose of it, follow the directions from your solid waste provider. Never blow or sweep yard waste into the curb.
5. Wash your car at a commercial car wash or on your lawn-not the driveway.
6. Use rain barrels and rain gardens to capture the runoff from your roof.

To learn more about green techniques to minimize the impact of stormwater runoff on waterways, visit the EPA's Urban Runoff website.