Non-Point Source Pollution and How You Can Help Keep Your Community Clean and Safe

Non-Point Source Pollution is pollution that does not come from a single point or location; this type of pollution is carried into lakes, rivers and streams by storm water runoff. When it rains, the runoff collects pollutants from streets, lawns and parking lots (such as oil, gasoline, fertilizer, pesticides, litter and animal wastes) and carries pollutants into the water body.

Brandon is one of the 31 designated municipalities in the State required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and follow a set of guidelines aimed at reducing non-point source pollution in local waters. By developing these guidelines, called a Storm Water Management Plan, Brandon has set goals for addressing six measures as set forth by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the EPA. These six measures include 1) Public Education and Outreach; 2) Public Involvement/Participation; 3) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; 4) Construction Site Runoff Control; 5) Post-construction Runoff Control; and 6) Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Facilities.

How You Can Help Minimize Non-Point Source Pollution

1) Don’t dispose of any materials (including grass clippings, motor oil, detergents, etc.) down storm drains

2) Properly maintain storm drains – make sure they are free from trash and other debris

3) Make sure your septic system is properly functioning – maintain service and pump as necessary

4) When washing vehicles at home, make sure water and detergents flow into the grass, not the street

5) Use fertilizers/pesticides sparingly; dispose of empty containers properly

6) Pick up your animal’s waste

7) Recycle when possible and properly dispose of used household and office equipment and materials

Remember - Storm water runoff does not flow into a treatment plant – it flows directly into our streams, creeks and lakes. Please do your part to keep our waterways clean and safe for all of us to enjoy!

The following links can provide more information on water quality and pollution prevention:

http://www.epa.gov/water/citizen.html

A collection of Water sites with information to raise public awareness and encourage involvement in water quality issues; from the EPA

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1419.htm

Information on correct use of your septic system; from the Mississippi State University Extension Service

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1436.htm

Information on household cleaning products; from the Mississippi State University Extension Service

http://www.deq.state.ms.us/mdeq.nsf/page/nps_education_public_outreach

A collection of links on public education and outreach for teachers, students, community groups, and municipal officials; from MDEQ

Definition

As with development in Brandon at a fast pace, the need for clean water grows and the challenge of maintaining clean water also grows. As development occurs, natural vegetated areas are converted into paved and roofed (impervious) areas. With the increase in impervious surfaces there is an increase in stormwater runoff volume and pollution. At the same time, there is a decrease in trees, grass, and plants, which serve as natural filters; therefore, more pollutants are present and fewer are being filtered. Sources of stormwater pollution (often called non-point source pollution) are driveways, streets,

parking lots, construction sites, agricultural fields, lawns, pet wastes, failing sewer

systems, leaking septic tanks, and illicit discharges such as dumping waste motor oil.

Pollutants of concern include but are not limited to oils, grease, sediment, fertilizers,

pesticides, herbicides, bacteria, debris and litter, etc. Stormwater runoff can wash these

pollutants through the stormdrain system and into local streams such as Terrapin Skin Creek & Richland Creek. Stormwater runoff does not flow to a treatment plant; it flows directly into our streams and lakes. Stormwater runoff from Rankin County ultimately reaches the Pearl River.

Stormwater Management Program

Brandon was one of thirty-one designated cities and counties in Mississippi

required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a

stormwater runoff management program. In order to better address water quality and

reduce non-point source pollution to local waters Brandon developed a stormwater

runoff management program that is comprised of the following six measures: (1) public

education and outreach, (2) public involvement/participation, (3) illicit discharge

detection and elimination, (4) construction site runoff control, (5) post-construction

runoff control, and (6) pollution prevention and good housekeeping for City facilities.

Tips

The following is a list of tips that the general public may utilize to minimize stormwater

pollution:

· Don’t dump anything down storm drains.

· Dispose of litter properly.

· Recycle

· Choose non-toxic products.

· Conserve water.

· Keep storm drains clear of debris, trash, sediment, and other litter.

· Make sure septic system is operating properly.

· Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

· Practice clean and responsible boating.

· Wash vehicles at a car wash or where water flows into the grass.

Links

The following links provide sources of additional information related to water quality and

stormwater management for preventing stormwater pollution:

· CITY REGULATIONS

www.cityofbrandon.net contains adopted Stormwater Ordinance for the City of Brandon.

· HOMEOWNERS

www.epa.gov/owow/nps/whatis Contains fact sheets, articles, and resources for

general public and homeowners explaining what NPS pollution is and what individuals

can do to prevent and reduce it. Topics include household chemicals, septic systems, and

impervious surfaces.

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is566.htm Control of Garden Bugs:

Provides guidance and tips on controlling a wide variety of common garden insect pests.

Lists the appropriate type of control for each insect including type and rate of application

for chemical controls, as well as safety precautions and conversion rates for common

measurements.

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1580.htm Non-Chemical Weed Control:

Contains information on managing and eliminating undesirable plants from landscaping

that do not require chemicals. Addresses many of the reasons that weeds occur in the

first place, and identifies methods of addressing the source of the problem in order to

avoid repeated, unnecessary use of chemicals.

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1436.htm Household Cleaning Products:

Contains guidance on choosing the appropriate cleaner for a particular job. Provides

explanation of the chemicals contained in common household cleaners and the dangers

associated with each. Encourages use of less harmful cleaning chemicals with tips on

making and using less harmful alternatives.

http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1484.htm Lawn Mulching for Homeowners:

Debunks several common myths concerning lawn clippings and provides common sense

applications for the beneficial use of lawn clippings. Encourages the use of lawn

clippings over disposal.

http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/NPS_Education_Public_Outreach

Non Point Source Education Page:

Contains links to a variety of public education, outreach, and involvement programs that

are available through MDEQ including programs for teachers, students, volunteer groups,

homeowners, volunteer groups, and stormwater management officials.

· EDUCATORS

www.epa.gov/owow/nps/kids

Non Point Source Kids Page:

Contains games, puzzles, interactive activities, educators' materials, and links to

additional information.

www.epa.gov/owow/nps/eduinfo

Contains links to educational materials including classroom lesson plans, classroom

activities, publications, and a variety of additional information for educators, including

links to other websites.

http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/NPS_Education_Public_Outreach

Non Point Source Education Page:

Contains links to a information related to a variety of public education, outreach, and

involvement programs that are available through MDEQ including programs for teachers,

students, volunteer groups, homeowners, volunteer groups, and stormwater management

officials.

http://www.dmr.state.ms.us

The Department of Marine Resources website has a wealth of information for the general

public, children, teachers, boaters, and marinas, etc. Information includes pollution

prevention and marinas, non-point source pollution, stormwater runoff management and

best management practices provided via the Mississippi Gulf Coast Stormwater

Management Toolbox, stormwater management tools for schools, Coastal Cleanups, and

workshop information for teachers.

· CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/epd_epdgeneral?OpenDocument

MDEQ Stormwater Permits:

Contains materials including stormwater permit applications, notice of intent forms, and

guidance manuals for completing the applications and developing a Storm Water

Pollution Prevention Plan.

http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/NPS_Urban_Stormwater_Construction

Urban Stormwater and Construction:

Contains a narrative description of urban stormwater impacts including construction

impacts. Provides links to stormwater permit information and BMP design manuals for

construction.

http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/NPS_Publications_Literature

Non Point Source Pollution Literature and Publications:

Contains links to MDEQ sponsored literature and publications on non-point source

pollution targeted to the general public, construction industry, and stormwater manager.

Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing Development Rules in Your Community.

The Center for Watershed Protection (August 1998). This handbook was prepared for

local planners, engineers, developers, and officials to help them understand development

principles that can be used to create environmentally sensitive, economically viable, and

locally appropriate development. See: http://www.cwp.org/.

Low-Impact Development Design Strategies. Prince Georges County, MD (EPA 841-B-

00-003) (January 2000). Low-Impact Development Hydrologic Analysis. Prince Georges

County, MD (EPA 841-B-00-002) (January 2000). These two documents contain a

description of LID principles, programmatic considerations, design strategies and an

example of an analytic and computational procedure to use in designing appropriate

runoff treatment systems. The strategies document (003) was prepared for local planners,

engineers, developers, and officials to describe how to develop and implement LID

methods from an integrated design perspective. The hydrologic analysis document (002)

is a companion technical document and it contains a methodology that can be used to

estimate changes in site hydrology due to new development and also to design

appropriate treatment systems to maintain the predevelopment hydrology of the site. For

Low-Impact Development Design Strategies, see:

http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lidnatl.pdf.

http://www.epa.gov/owm/sw/phase2/factshts.htm 14 fact sheets covering the Small MS4

Program, the Six Minimum Measures, Permitting and Reporting, the Construction

Program, and the Industrial "No Exposure" Waiver

http://www.tetratech-test.com/bmpmanual/htmfolder/index.htm A draft menu of BMPs

that addresses each of the six minimum control measures and two draft model permits for

small construction activities and regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems

(MS4s).

Planning & Design Manual for the Control of Erosion, Sediment & Storm Water:

Mississippi’s manual provides technical guidance for the control of erosion, sediment,

and storm water from nonpoint sources (NPDES) and for the preparation of erosion,

sediment, and storm water control plans as needed. The manual is a cooperative effort

by: Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Mississippi Soil & Water

Conservation Commission and USDA Soil Conservation Service. The manual can be

ordered and is also available (free) electronically at http://abe.msstate.edu/csd/p-dm/.

Low Impact Development Manuals (Prince George County, Maryland Department

of Environmental Resources, Programs and Planning Division, EPA 841-B-00-003

and EPA 841-B-00-002, 1/2000)

Two technical manuals on Low Impact Development (LID): Low Impact Development,

an Integrated Design Approach (EPA 841-B-00-003) was prepared by local planners,

engineers, developers, and officials. This document details how to develop and

implement LID methods from an integrated design perspective. Low Impact Development

Hydrologic Analysis (EPA 841-B-00-002) is the companion document to the LID design

manual. This document contains methodology that can be used to estimate changes in site

hydrology due to new development, and also to design appropriate treatment systems to

maintain the pre-development hydrology of the site. Copies available free of charge from

the EPA; call (800) 490-9198, or visit the web site at http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/

• Regulations

www.epa.gov/owow/nps

EPA’s Non Point Source Pollution Page:

Provides links to information and resources in a number of categories including

publications and information resources, funding opportunities, training and meetings, and

applicable regulations.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm

Contains fact sheets and guidance material related to the regulation of stormwater

including information concerning Phase II Stormwater regulations.

http://www.epa.gov/owm/sw/phase2/final.htm A copy of the EPA regulation is available

at this site