Transcript Stormwater Awareness -Internet Training (5802)

Stormwater Awareness
Introduction
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UNC has a Stormwater Permit from the North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR)
The permit requires “stormwater pollution awareness training for appropriate
faculty, staff, students, and volunteers”
For more information you can find a copy of the University’s stormwater
permit at
http://ehs.unc.edu/environmental/stormwater/docs/dwq_phase_two.pdf
Introduction (continued)
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater…
•Is rain that doesn’t soak into the ground
•Is carried by drains and pipes through
campus until it discharges to the creek
•Can pick up pollutants as it runs over the
ground
•Does NOT go to the waste water
treatment plant
Introduction (continued)
What pollutes stormwater?
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Oils and Grease
Metals
Nitrogen and Phosphorous
Sediment
Other Chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, etc.)
Bacteria
What are the effects of
stormwater runoff?
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Flooding
Picture taken on Raleigh Street across from the Coker Arboretum during
rainstorm on August 27, 2008
What are the effects of stormwater runoff? (continued)
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Creates areas that are unsafe for recreation such as fishing, swimming,
and boating
What are the effects of stormwater runoff? (continued)
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Harms aquatic organisms
Damage to commercial fisheries and tourism
Neuse River, NC(2003) An estimated 2
million fish killed due to low oxygen as
a result of polluted stormwater runoff.
What are the effects of stormwater runoff? (continued)
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Increased costs for drinking water treatment
Jordan Lake is the main drinking water source for Cary, Apex, Morrisville,
and sections of Chatham and Wake Counties
Campus Drainage Areas
(Watersheds)
•A watershed is an area of land
that drains to a common outlet
•On main campus there are 5
different watersheds
•The majority of main campus
drains to three different areas
•Water within all of these
watersheds ends up in Jordan
Lake
North Campus-Battle Branch
Creek
The northern areas of campus drain to Battle Branch Creek located in
Battle Park behind the Forest Theatre.
Central Campus-Meeting of the
Waters Creek
Central campus drains to Meeting of the Waters creek which is visible
near the intersection of Bell Tower Drive and South Road before
entering a pipe and flowing underneath Kenan Stadium. This pipe
discharges below Boshamer Stadium in the Coker Pinetum.
South Campus- Meeting of the
Waters Creek
Much of South Campus drains to a branch of Meeting of the Waters creek
located near the Dean Smith Center.
All stormwater runoff from campus eventually ends up in Jordan Lake!
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer?
•There are two types of drains on campus
•STORM DRAINS go to the creek without treatment
•SANITARY SEWERS go to the wastewater treatment plant
•These two systems are completely separate of each other
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer? (continued)
•Some storm drains on campus have
UNC markers that say “No Dumping,
Drains to Creek” or “No Dumping,
Drains to Stream”
•Of the several thousand storm
drains on campus only a few
hundred have UNC drain markers
•The following slides describe
different categories of drains as well
of explanations of which system they
drain to (storm drain or sanitary
sewer)
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer? Storm Drain Inlet
•Inlets along roads, in parking lots, in
landscaped areas, in parking garages, and
on rooftops go to the storm drain system
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer? Outdoor Trench
Drain
•Though it isn’t marked, this is a stormwater drain- that
goes directly to the creek
•Usually if a drain is located outside, it is a stormwater
drain and water entering it is not treated before being
discharged to the creek
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer? Manhole
•Manhole covers lead to underground pipes
•Some are labeled “Storm Drain” or “Sanitary Sewer”
•Unfortunately, many manholes on campus are
mislabeled
•Call EHS before disposing of anything into a manhole
that you haven’t previously checked
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer? Indoor Floor Drain
•In all newer buildings floor drains are connected to the
sanitary sewer system
•However, in older buildings some floor drains may be
connected to the stormwater system
•Do not dispose of anything into floor drains located in older
buildings
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer? Housekeeping Sink
•This sink is located in a housekeeping closet
•Housekeeping sinks drain to the sanitary sewer
•These sinks are designed for buckets don’t have to
be lifted to dump the water
•Buckets of wash water should not be disposed of
outside
•If you don’t have an easy way to dispose of wash
water, contact EHS
Storm Drain or Sanitary Sewer? Toilets
•Toilets are connected to the sewer system
•Anything flushed down the toilet goes to the
wastewater treatment plant
•Do not dispose of garbage or chemical waste into
toilets
Recognizing and Preventing
Stormwater Pollution
General Rule- only rain can go into the stormwater system. If you wouldn’t
want to swim in it, don’t put it in the drain. Intentional disposal into storm
drains, cross connections with other piping systems, improper storage of
chemicals, and chemical spills can all have negative impacts on water
quality and in many cases are illegal.
Illegal Disposal
OK in Stormwater Drains:
YES
NO
Rainwater
Chemicals
Tap Water
Soap and Detergent
Soil, Leaves, Grass Clippings
Garbage
Sewage
Paint
Illegal Disposal (continued)
It is not OK to dispose of paint,
chemicals, or solid waste into the
storm drain. If you have paint or
chemicals you need to dispose of,
or see anyone disposing of
anything into a storm drain contact
EHS at 962-5507.
Contractors and UNC employees working in the area were spoken to and
reminded of the correct ways to dispose of paint. Dried paint was cleaned up
as much as possible. (11/21/2007)
Cross Connections
A cross connection occurs when a drain or pipe is improperly connected to the
storm drain system.
Upon discovery, this washing machine was immediately
taken out of service. (11/11/2008)
The water discharge for this washing machine was routed through a small pipe
that went through the wall of an air handler. The water then dumped into a drain in
an outdoor air intake pit that was connected to the stormwater system, resulting in
the water getting to the creek. This water should have been routed to the sewer
system when the washing machine was installed.
Cross Connections (continued)
The following pictures are from the Ram’s Head loading dock located on the
ground floor of the Rams Head parking deck
The loading dock area was constantly slippery from
garbage and other food waste that was leaking from
the dumpsters on the loading dock.
In order to remove the slip hazard, the workers
routinely used a degreaser to wash the loading dock
area. The trench drain located at the loading dock
was connected to the stormdrain system so all the
degreaser and grease ended up in the creek.
Cross Connections (continued)
To remedy this discharge a sump pump
was installed in the trench drain that ran to
the sanitary sewer instead of the
stormwater system.
Cross Connections (continued)
If you suspect you have found a cross connection into the stormwater system
call EHS at 962-5507. EHS will access building plans to try and determine if
a cross connection exists. EHS can also perform biodegradable dye tests to
determine where pipes discharge.
Dye in the water confirming that a
laundry facility was discharging into the
storm drain instead of the sanitary
sewer. This connection was fixed and
the laundry facility was connected to the
sanitary sewer.
Good Housekeeping
Improper storage of materials outdoors and not cleaning up spills of hazardous materials
are both common sources of stormwater pollution.
This bucket was found with oil on
top of the lid. If not corrected the
oil would wash into the nearest
storm drain the next time it rained.
If you have see a situation like this
or have a spill call EHS at 9625507.
This situation was addressed immediately by contractor
responsible for the bucket. (3/4/08)
Good Housekeeping- Chemical Storage
Chemicals and hazardous materials must also be stored and disposed of
correctly.
•This picture is an example of BAD
housekeeping practices
•Chemicals that are being stored
outside should be covered and be
placed in secondary containment
•If you need to dispose of
chemicals call EHS at 962-5507
•EHS will dispose of your
chemicals for FREE
Issues were addressed immediately by contractor. (8/19/2005)
Good Housekeeping- Chemical Storage
•This picture is an example of
GOOD housekeeping practices
•Barrels are labeled and in
secondary containment
•There is a cover to protect the
barrels from rain when not in use
Good Housekeeping- Spill Cleanup and Reporting
•Spills that are not cleaned up
immediately are a source of water
pollution
•EHS has a spill response team that
can assist in the cleanup of hazardous
materials spills
•If you have a spill or see a spill call
EHS at 962-5507 immediately
Spill cleaned up by EHS. (5/29/2008)
Good Housekeeping- Vehicle/Equipment Washing
•Do not wash your vehicles or
equipment and allow the wash water
to enter the storm drain
•UNC has a vehicle washing station
located at the service station
•Water is directed to the sanitary
sewer system
•Contact EHS for other alternatives if
you have equipment or vehicles that
need to be washed on a routine basis
Good Housekeeping-Pressure Washing
•Do not power wash areas that do not
need to be power washed
•Broom and shovel should be used to
clean up dirt
•If you need to use a power washer, the
wash water cannot enter the storm drain
•Contact EHS or visit our website at
http://ehs.unc.edu/environmental/stormw
ater/mobile.shtml to learn more about
disposing of water from power washing
operations
Good Housekeeping- Chemical Application
It is important to follow manufacturers
instructions when applying pesticides,
herbicides, and fertilizer. Never apply
pesticides immediately before rain is
forecast, and be careful not to over fertilize.
Rain can wash the pesticides, herbicides,
and excess fertilizer into the storm drain
system.
Construction Sites
Construction sites are another common source of stormwater pollution.
There are numerous chemicals and pollutants present on construction
sites that if not handled correctly can have negative impacts on water
quality. The most common pollutant at construction sites is sediment.
During clearing and grading operations vegetation and ground cover are
generally removed, and unless proper actions are taken to protect the soil
it will wash off the site during rain storms. Sediment is considered by the
EPA and State of North Carolina to be the #1 threat to water quality.
Sediment is bad for several reasons.
•Sediment is harmful to aquatic organisms
•Sediment fills in reservoirs
•Sediment makes water treatment more expensive
•Sediment is a mechanism to transport other pollutants such as heavy
metals and nutrients
Construction Sites (continued)
•On campus, the larger construction sites have Erosion and
Sedimentation Control Permits. These permits require that measures
are taken to prevent contaminated runoff.
•Smaller construction sites are not required to obtain permits but are
still required to take measures to prevent contaminated runoff.
•The following slides contain examples where measures were not
taken to prevent stormwater pollution. If you see an area on campus
like any of these pictures call EHS.
Construction Sites (continued)
•Silt fence was not maintained
properly
•Soil and construction debris filling the
drainage channel
•Erosion and sedimentation control
measures must be maintained
throughout the duration of a project.
silt fence
Silt fence was repaired, and slope above the fence was seeded to prevent erosion. (1/30/2008)
Construction Sites (continued)
•Stockpiles of soil need to be covered
and/or surrounded by silt fence
•If there is no cover on the stockpile, soil
will wash into the storm drain system
whenever it rains
Contractor covered pile until it was removed. (10/29/08)
Construction Sites (continued)
•Muddy water should not run off from a site
•Proper controls were not installed to prevent
this from happening
The following day, EHS visited the site and contractor repaired all
ESC deficiencies. (11/15/07)
Construction Sites (continued)
Smaller projects are required to install
erosion and sedimentation control
measures. On this site either silt fence
should have been installed on the down
slope areas or temporary cover should be
placed on the area when not being actively
worked or when rain is forecast. For small
areas like this, plastic tarps work well to
prevent erosion.
Department responsible for this area installed permanent cover to
prevent erosion upon notification by EHS. (1/30/2008)
Conclusion
• Stormwater pollution is a serious problem that harms wildlife and
water quality, has adverse effects on recreation (swimming, boating,
and fishing), makes it more expensive to treat drinking water, and
causes economic hardship for commercial fisheries
• Illegal disposal of materials, cross connections, improper storage of
materials, improper cleanup of hazardous material spills, and
sediment from construction sites are all sources of stormwater
pollution
• If you notice any sources of stormwater pollution on campus, need
help cleaning up a spill, or need more information on how to prevent
stormwater pollution in day to day activities, contact EHS at 9625507
• Visit our website at www.ehs.unc.edu/environmental/stormwater for
more information on UNC’s stormwater program, and to find out
other ways you can help keep our water clean