Prevention at Home

Storm drain pollution is a daily problem, caused by individuals whose daily actions hurt the environment -- actions like poor car care which causes automotive fluids to drip from improperly maintained vehicles, overwatering lawns, and littering the streets and storm drains with styrofoam cups, paper and plastic bags, pet waste, disposable diapers, cigarette butts and other trash. There have even been reports of people attempting to dispose of furniture and large appliances in their neighborhood storm drains!

These actions not only expose marine creatures to materials that are hazardous to their health, but also clog storm drains, worsen flooding and create eyesores. Ultimately, these actions can affect entire communities and can lower the living standards and property values for local residents.

Where Pollution Comes From

Residential and open land uses together comprise 90 percent of the total Santa Monica Bay watershed area, and contribute 82 percent of the total runoff and the largest pollutant loads to the Bay. Pollutants can come from a number of sources such as homes, businesses, and even undeveloped areas; they include heavy metals and excess nutrients, oil and grease, and simply solid suspended matter (dirt) that erodes from slopes.

Single-family residential areas contributed the largest loads of heavy metals and nutrients; open areas supplied the largest load of total suspended solids (TSS); and the largest quantities of oil and grease were associated with multi-family and commercial areas.

Home Car Care

Approximately 60 percent of Americans change their own oil, generating 200 million gallons of used motor oil annually. This means that a tremendous amount of used oil is generated at residences, but there is little assurance that this oil is collected and disposed of properly.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) estimates that only 20 million gallons, or 10 percent, of the used oil generated by "do-it-yourselfers" (DIYs) nationwide is collected and recycled. The remaining 180 million gallons are dumped down storm drains, on the ground and in the trash each year. The amount of oil dumped by DIY auto mechanics nationally every two-and-a-half weeks is roughly equivalent to the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez (11 million gallons).

Improper disposal of even small quantities of used oil poses a significant environmental danger. Used oil can contain such contaminants as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, ethylene chloride and benzene, all known cancer-causing agents. It may also contain other toxic metals such as lead and cadmium, which are known to cause birth defects, learning disorders and other debilitating illnesses.

Some Facts to Remember:

Household toxics, such as common household cleaners, paint products and motor oil can pollute the ocean and poison the groundwater if not disposed of as hazardous waste.
Overwatering combined with heavy use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers increase the likelihood that these chemicals will wash into storm drains. Pesticides and herbicides not only kill garden invaders, they also harm insects, poison fish and contaminate ground and ocean water.
All paints and solvents contain chemicals that are harmful to sea life. Toxic chemicals can come from liquid or solid products or from cleaning residues on rags. It is especially important to prevent these chemicals from entering storm drains.
Many common car maintenance routines can contaminate urban runoff and contribute to ocean pollution. Remember, there are millions of drivers in the Greater Los Angeles area. Just throwing away an car old battery, washing the car with detergent, or pouring used motor oil or antifreeze down a storm drain can significantly threaten the marine ecosystem when hundreds of thousands of car owners are involved.