Reviewing the storm water system
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In previous columns I mentioned the city's storm water system and have received quite a few questions about it. Here are the most frequently asked questions:
Q: What is storm water?
A: Storm water is defined as water from rains or melting snow and ice that flows across the ground and paved surfaces. Storm water runoff is of concern because of the pollutants it may carry.
Q: Where does the storm water go after it enters the storm drain?
A: Storm water that does not seep into the ground will flow down driveways and streets into gutters. The gutters drain into a system of underground pipes known as a storm drain system. This system leads directly to the city's creeks and outfalls (outfalls are basically a drainage canal) and eventually to the Guadalupe River or other nearby watersheds.
Q: What is the purpose of the storm drain system?
A: The purpose of the storm drain system is to transport storm water from streets and highways quickly and efficiently to our creeks and rivers.
Q: What's the difference between putting water down the storm drain and putting water down the toilet or sink?
A: The sanitary sewer system (toilets and sinks) and the storm drain system are two completely different systems. Water from toilets in homes or businesses flows to a wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated before it is released into the Guadalupe River.
Water flowing down driveways and streets into the gutter goes into a storm drain that flows directly into the city's outfalls and eventually to the Guadalupe River or other watersheds.
This storm water does not receive any treatment prior to flowing into the river and it carries any pollutants in the storm drains with it.
Q: What are common contributors to storm water pollution?
A: The main contributor to storm water pollution is sediment. Sediment comes from exposed ground without vegetation. This is a common problem around construction sites and roadways. Ideally, no dirt should reach the sidewalks, streets, gutters and storm drains. Oil, antifreeze, detergents, pesticides and yard debris are additional pollutants that are washed into the storm drains from driveways, backyards, parking lots and streets by rain. These pollutants flow into our waterways with no filtration at all.
Q: Why shouldn't yard trimmings and soil go into the storm drain? Doesn't rain wash the same kind of material into the creeks and rivers anyway?
A: When natural materials like yard trimmings break down, oxygen is drawn from the water.
In a natural setting, the amount of this debris would be limited to the leaves of those plants and trees bordering the creeks and rivers.
However, in our urban setting, yard trimmings, leaves and dirt on paved areas across Victoria are washed into the storm drain system which leads to our rivers and waterways.
A large amount of organic debris can ruin the natural balance of our creeks and rivers.
In addition, pesticides, vehicle fluids and other pollutants leaked onto roads and driveways are scoured from all the paved surfaces throughout the city and washed directly into the creeks and rivers.
Q: Why isn't storm water treated before it goes into a creek or river?
A: Each storm drain goes to the nearest creek or outfall. As a result, storm water is not collected into one location where it can be treated.
Instead, it flows through separate pipe systems, each emptying into the nearest outfall. Preventing pollution at the source is a much more effective and less costly way to prevent storm water pollution.
Q: What can I put down the storm drain?
A: Local ordinances prohibit anything other than uncontaminated rainwater from entering the storm drain system. Never pour anything into a gutter, street or storm drain.
Q: What do I do if I see someone dumping something into a storm drain?
A: Call 361-485-3186 to report illegal discharges into the storm sewer system.
Send your questions and comments for any city department or activity to City of Victoria, Public Information Office, P.O. Box 1758, Victoria, TX 77902, or pio@victoriatx.org.
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