Reduce Stormwate

r Runoff

Stormwater Runoff

Define

Problems

Solutions

Best Management Practices (BMP)

Prevent Runoff

Vegetative Cover

-Alternative Groundcovers

Reduce Pollutants

-Fertilizer

-Pesticides

Author: Rebecca McNairEdited by: Allison Steele

Hydrologic Cycle Water on earth is constantly recycled Components of water cycle:

Soil Infiltration Evaporation Transpiration- the process by which

plants release water into the atmosphere

Surface and channel storage Groundwater storage

The soil matrix filters and somewhat detoxifies impurities from water as it travels through the ground.

UrbanizationIntensity of land use

Amount of impervious surfaces

Water quality degradation

Stormwater Runoff - Rainwater that flows off yards, roads and parking lots, carrying pollutants into our waterways.

Nonpoint source pollution Sources of pollution that can not be

pinpointed to any single cause. Usually associated with trash, car oil, chemical lawn products, and other residues that

are easily carried away by flowing water.

According to the EPA, polluted runoff is the #1 water quality issue in Florida

NutrientsNutrients Toxins Toxins

SedimentsSediments

Thermal StressThermal Stress

DebrisDebris

PathogensPathogens

Photo courtesy of NEMO

Stormwater ContaminantsMetals

zinc, cadmium, copper, chromium, arsenic, lead

Organic chemicals pesticides, oil, gasoline, grease

Pathogen

viruses, bacteria, protozoa

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

grass clippings, fallen leaves,human and animal waste

Sediment sand, silt, and other particles

Salts sodium chloride, calcium chloride

Nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus

The Problem Increased volume of surface

runoff

Increased velocity of surface runoff

Concentration of pollutants in runoff

Erosion

Sedimentatio

n

Flooding

Lowered

water

quality

Elevated nutrients can causeElevated nutrients can cause:: Polluted drinking water Polluted drinking water Excessive aquatic plant growthExcessive aquatic plant growth Lower dissolved oxygen levelsLower dissolved oxygen levels Fish KillsFish Kills

The Solution Use practices or methods to

prevent, reduce, retard, or remove stormwater runoff contaminants before reaching receiving waters

Best Management Practices (BMP) are a series of direct recommendations based upon research, evaluation and educated assumptions

Be Florida-FriendlyRegardless of the type of property you own, you can help preserve Florida’s natural resources by:

1) Preventing Runoff2) Increasing Vegetative Cover3) Reducing Pollutants

Prevent Runoff

Keep rain and irrigation water on your property and out of storm drains.

Factors Affecting Stormwater Runoff:

Rainfall intensity, flow rate, season

% Impervious surfaces Watershed size, slope Soil type, soil compaction Type of vegetation Density of vegetation Within our control

Not within our control

Minimize runoff by using pervious surfaces…

for walkways, patios, and driveways

Direct downspouts and gutters towards porous areas

If downspouts drain to planted areas, be sure to select plants adapted to periodic

flooding.

Collect Rain Water

Use a rain barrel or a cistern to collect and store runoff for irrigation purposes

Water during early morning hours Plants are already wet

Less evaporation losses Water less frequently in cooler

months Water “as needed,”

not routinely

Do not irrigate if rain is expected

Plan irrigation schedules according to the weather

Earth ShapingIf your property is sloped, you may want to make minor grade changes to divert runoff. This can be accomplished by:

Utilizing terraces

Terracing can be an attractive design

element in your yard.

Berms and Swales Creating swales (low areas) and

berms (raised earthen areas) will help to catch, hold, and filter stormwater Elevations and depressions as small

as 3-6 inches can make a huge difference

Vegetative CoverPlanting groundcovers on slopes is an excellent way to: Catch and filter stormwater Slow the velocity of water movement Reduce erosion

Turfgrass is a versatile

groundcover that is very effective at

filtering nutrients.

Attractive Insulates the soil Acts as a living mulch

that helps to build up humus levels in the soil

Provides habitat and cover for beneficial insects and other predators

Covering the ground with a carpet of vegetation has other advantages:

Blanketflower Gaillardia pulchella

Disadvantages If the ground cover is

too vigorous, it may require containment

It can compete with other plants for water and nutrients

The following factors should also be taken into account, when choosing the

right plant for the right place…

Sweet potato Ipomea batatas ‘Margarita'

Select plants based on site conditions: Acid alkaline- (test your soil’s pH) Dry moist Full sun shade Heat cold Salt Space Obstructions Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus ‘Diva’

Alternative GroundcoversFor Shade

Lilyturf Liriope muscari (USDA Zone 6-11)

Periwinkle Vinca major (USDA Zone 8-11)

Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior (USDA Zone 8-11)

Beach Sunflower Helianthus debilis (USDA Zone 8B-

11)

Alternative Groundcovers

Perennial Peanut Arachis glabrata (USDA Zone 8-11)

Clover Trifolium repens (USDA Zone 5-11)

Alternative Groundcovers

Junipers (USDA Zone 8-

11) Juniperus spp.

For Sun

Asiatic Jasmine (USDA Zone 8-11) Trachelospermum asiaticum

Tree Canopy Incorporate trees in the

landscape Intercept rainfall

Reduce soil compaction thus improving water infiltration into soil

Increase the value of property

Energy efficient way to cool the home

Reduce Pollutants

Sweep grass and soil back onto lawns Sweep up any fertilizer on impervious

surfaces Remove trash Clean up oil spills

and leaks with cat litter

Pick up after pets

Because water can wash off our yards, it is important to reduce the amount of pollutants on our property.

It is unrealistic, and even unwise to strive for an insect, disease, and weed-free yard. Instead:

Learn to identify key pests associated with the plants in your yard

Check plants regularly for signs of pest problems

Determine what amount of damage warrants action

Manage Yard Pests Responsibly

Avoid routine applications of pesticides

Choose the least harmful method of control

Treat only affected area rather than spraying the entire yard

Fertilize Appropriately

Follow printed instructions carefully!

Do not apply fertilizer or pesticides before a heavy rainstorm

If applied improperly, excess fertilizers can run off our yards into waterways or leach into groundwater.

Further Readinghttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

SL 143: How Contaminants Reach Groundwater

PI 2: Factors Influencing Pesticide Movement to Groundwater

FRE 76 Laws Governing Use and Impact of Agricultural Chemicals: Agricultural

Chemicals and Water Pollution ENY 294: The Smart Way to Avoid

Landscape Pests and Other Problems

Thanks for your attention!

The following presentation was made possible through a grant from FL DEP and EPA. Special thanks to the following reviewers for their valued contributions:

FL114 ELM Design Team and the FYN Subcommittee

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF

Agriculture Education and Communication Department

Environmental Horticulture Department

Entomology and Nematology Department

Soil and Water Sciences Department

Florida Cooperative Extension Service in: Alachua, Broward, Clay, Hillsborough, Lake, Miami-Dade, Orange, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Volusia Counties

Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence

The Center For Wetlands, UF

United States Department of Agriculture

FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences: Division of Plant Industry