Household chemicals like oil, anti-freeze, pesticides, paints and solvents cause significant harm to humans and animal life when they enter storm drains (the grated metal slots in the street.) Once in the storm drains, water and anything dumped into it, travels WITHOUT TREATMENT , to the creeks and rivers that we swim in, and fish and other aquatic animals thrive in. Each one of us can make a difference! Be aware of the kinds of chemical products you use outdoors. Don't dump any hazardous products down the storm drains and don't change the oil in your car or repair your car near a storm drain. If you see anyone dumping anything that could be potentially hazardous down the storm drain, please call the Environmental Specialist at the City of Troutdale, 503-665-5175.
What Else Can You Do To Help Our Waterways?
- Plant native trees, shrubs and ground cover that filter pollutants and reduce storm water runoff.
- During landscaping, cover bare spoil with mulch or hay to prevent erosion, and plant quickly.
- Minimize the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The excess washes away from soil into storm drains.
- Avoid over-watering of lawns to prevent excess runoff.
- Compost yard debris, and use it as mulch or a soil amendment. Keep yard debris out of streets and storm drains.
Prevent Clogged Storm Drains
The City encourages those residents with trees to keep leaves raked before they cover storm drains and cause flooding in the street. Also, homeowners that do have a storm drain in front of their property are encouraged to keep leaves and other debris cleared away from the drain. A word of caution: Do not rake leaves into the street. Troutdale does not have a leaf pick-up program. Leaves should be disposed of through the normal yard debris program.
Although City crews do sweep the streets and clean the storm drains on a routine maintenance schedule, there are those times when strong winds and heavy rains can quickly cause drains to become covered and clogged.