Stormwater Pollution: The Guide to Preventing It

What is stormwater pollution?

Did you know that when it rains or snow, some of them don’t soak into the ground? They flow from rooftops, pavements, bare soil, and sloped areas. As they flow, they collect and transport trash, pesticides, oil, grease, salt, animal waste, heavy metals from cars, bacteria from failed septic systems and other pollutants.  This phenomenon can result in stormwater pollution. 

But how bad can stormwater pollution be? Well, they often result in one or more of the following. 

• Bad odours - The sewage system could leak because of stormwater runoff. This results in bad odours.
• Contaminated water - Letting contaminants and pollutants such as pesticides and chemicals flow to nearby creeks and streams will result in contaminated water.
• Algae blooms - Stormwater runoff increases the transport of nutrients into waterways.  These nutrients come from excess water from fertilizers and wastewater. This condition promotes algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water. They also keep sunlight from reaching fishes and plants.
• Fish kills - Because the oxygen in the water is depleted, more fishes die or abandon the area. When the algae die, the microbes that decompose the dead algae use up more oxygen. This results in more fish kills. 
• Flooding in your area and damage to your property
• Threat to you and your family’s health  - Because stormwater carries many pollutants, chemicals and even harmful bacteria from sewage systems, they can make you and your family sick.
• Unappealing dirty water, trash and debris in your property - The trash and debris in your property won’t be appealing to tenants, neighbours or visitors. It could affect the impression and profitability of your property.
• Costly water treatment  - With the increased contaminant and pollution in the water, stormwater runoffs can increase the water treatment cost near your property.

And so much more. 

Not only does it negatively affect the welfare of you and your family, but it also poses a threat to our marine life and ecosystem. 

What causes stormwater pollution?

There are many pollutants that add to the storm drains. An example would be animal waste, litter, soapy car wash water, fertilizers, paint, pesticides, eroded sediments from construction projects, yard clippings, used motor oil and sewage overflow. 

Bottom line, it’s a result of our everyday activities. These activities result in many pollutants that are carried by the stormwater. This results in a negative impact on our health and marine life.  That’s why we must do our part to prevent it. 

What are the steps to prevent it? 

There are many ways to help prevent stormwater pollution. Here are ways you can contribute to keeping our stormwater free of pollutants. 

• Don’t litter. You don’t want your trash flowing down.
• Clear away leaves and debris so it’s not washed down when it rains.  That means it’s important to sweep your driveways and sidewalks. 
• To neutralize the soup and grime, wash your vehicle over your lawn. Keep the debris from flowing to our creeks and streams.
• Fix any car fluid leaks. 
• Use pesticides and other garden chemicals sparingly.
• Don’t over-water your garden to minimize runoff.
• Be responsible for your pet waste. 
• To prevent sewage overflow and leaks, keep your septic system well-maintained and clean. The bacteria found in them can be harmful. 
• Throw your cigarette butts in the trash can.
• Use stormwater accessories to maintain a quality drainage system.

What are stormwater accessories I can use?  

Depending on your needs, there are certainly some stormwater accessories you can use to control stormwater pollution. 

• Channel End Cap -   One of the stormwater accessories your drainage system must have is a channel end cap. It covers the end of channels providing protection from dirt. The ones available here in Ferrum is made from galvanized steel.

• Channel Joiners -  To make channels longer for continuous runs, channel joiners are stormwater accessories you just can’t miss. With Ferrum, you’ll discover channel joiners that will suit any size channel that you pick. 

• Orifice Plate - You need an orifice plate for an onsite detention tank systems. You see, orifice plates are stormwater accessories that help reduce and control the flow of water released to the councils stormwater system. If you’re looking for a range of stainless steel orifice plates, you can get them here in Ferrum at any size you require.

• Galvanised Detention Tank Trash - To prevent stormwater pollution, you need to keep floating and submerged debris from entering stormwater and wastewater systems.  Galvanised detention tank trash is a type of stormwater accessories that do just that. They keep debris out, while the flow of water continues. 

• Step Irons -  A detention tank stores the stormwater runoff temporarily. Then, slowly it releases the water into the public stormwater system. You need step irons for your detention tanks. 
• Detention Tank Danger Signs and Warning Signs - They help prevent accidents near your detention tank. These signs should be put near onsite detention tanks as required by the local council. 
• Galvanised RHS -  This is best for council crossovers. If you need to connect from the stormwater detention tank system to the kerb gutter, a galvanised RHS is the accessory for you.  To effectively connect all of these systems, you’ll need RHS joiners, plastic RHS to Downpipe Adaptor and a plastic RHS 45 degree Joiner. 

Drain Grate Replacement: One Way to Prevent Stormwater Pollution

The removal of surface water from a particular location is the prime purpose of galvanised drainage grates, which are sometimes referred to as trench drains. Drain grates can reduce the strain that is placed on the system to control the flow of water in a given area. However, flooding, overflow, and water that has become stagnant along with other factors can ruin drain grates which eventually necessitates drain grate replacement.

Nevertheless, even though that drain grates perform this purpose, drain grates do not often receive the credit they deserve. They are an essential component in the maintenance of both private and public places in terms of safety and cleanliness. Despite all the hard work that they put in, drain grates are frequently overlooked until the trench drains that they protect become clogged with water or another type of liquid. If this happens, it is then important to have a drain grate replacement.

To explain further, below are the following reasons why drain grate replacement is important.

ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY

Drain grate replacement keeps people safe. Pedestrians must always watch their steps to avoid accidents and legal claims.

Standing water threatens pedestrians. Flooded areas hide drain grates and other pathway structures. It raises the risk of breaking or dislocating a leg in a drain grate. Drowning risks make deeper pits fatal. Especially in close proximity to dwelling areas, stagnant water poses a threat to human health. Malaria and other deadly fevers are transmitted by mosquitoes that grow in stagnant water.

Damaged drain grates pose a threat to vehicular traffic as well. A weakened drain grate cannot support the weight of a vehicle. The driver is also unable to recognise a clogged and flooded trench drain. A vehicle's tumble into the ditch might result in significant damage.

MAINTAIN BUILDING STRUCTURES

It is necessary to have drain grates installed to protect buildings from being flooded. Building foundations, walls, and flooring can all be harmed by water that pools inside a building. When unexpected storms occur, blocked drains are unable to perform their function of preventing flood damage as they should. Drain grate replacement should be done periodically to ensure that flood water is directed away from buildings and that galvanised drainage grates are functioning properly.

MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY'S PREMISES

In landscaping, having drainage that works is of utmost importance. The use of galvanised channel grate helps to keep the grass on a lawn clean and green by channelling away excess water. The variety of patterns and designs that are available for drainage grates lends them an attractive quality. They raise the aesthetic value of the area that they take up in the home. To maintain the attractive appearance of your property, damaged grates should undergo drain grate replacement.

PREVENT BAD SMELLS

Organic matter that has begun to decompose can become trapped in a drainage that is clogged, particularly in outdoor settings. A foul odour is produced when decaying leaves, dead insects, and dead small animals are mixed. In addition, stagnant water is a magnet for moss that has a greenish hue and emits a foul odour. It is necessary to have a trench grate that is in working order to avoid such a consequence.

PREVENT CLOGGING OF DRAINS

Drain grates are subject to blockage by various debris, such as soil, boulders, tree leaves, and paper, among others. A damaged drain grate cannot perform its intended protective function. Debris will infiltrate and plug the trench drain.

Corrosion and rust destroy outdoor trench grates. They can collapse under pedestrian or vehicle weight. Damaged and weak trench grates should significantly undergo drain grate replacement.

Trench grates drain toxic waste in industrial settings. Chemicals corrode them. This is why in industrial situations, the damaged trench grate must be immediately replaced. It protects against harmful waste fumes and warehouse inventory is safe from flooding.

EXTEND DRAINAGE LIFE

Drainage is maintained at its optimal level when the drain grates are in good operating order. They delay the onset of early damage to the architecture of the drainage system. A damaged drain grate should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid having to replace the trench drain a few months down the road.

AVOID FINANCIAL LOSS

When there is insufficient drainage, there is a cost associated with this issue. Flooding can result in significant property damage, particularly when rainwater seeps into structures and then floods them completely. Accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles pose significant challenges to property managers from a financial perspective. The parties who have been wronged can file a claim in court for damages and perhaps get a significant settlement for negligent behaviour. It is critical for any broken drain grate to undergo drain grate replacement to avoid any legal and financial repercussions.

BETTER STORM PREPAREDNESS

The fundamental objective of galvanised drain grate is to remove enormous quantities of water that the ground is unable to absorb. They are especially beneficial in hardscapes, as well as huge areas that are covered in asphalt or concrete. These regions get inundated with a significant amount of water in a relatively short period of time due to the storms. These kinds of weather can be easily managed by drainage grates if it is properly maintained. On the other hand, a clogged one will result in catastrophe. One of the things you should do to get ready for a storm is to check your drain grates and go for a drain grate replacement if there are broken ones.

Stormwater pollution is caused by our collective actions just like leaving our litter anywhere, washing our car on a sloped pavement, and failing to clean after our pets. That means it’s also our collective responsibility to keep it from happening. One way of doing this is to use stormwater accessories for an effective drainage system. 

Do you want to take advantage of stormwater accessories? Prevent stormwater pollution today by sending us a message.