Douglas County School

Stormwater Management Program 

Douglas County School District's Stormwater Program is changing. Look here in the future for changes.

Definitions

Storm water: Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snow melt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent storm water from naturally soaking into the ground. The storm water flows into storm sewer inlets that are located on and near school property.

Polluted Storm water: Storm water runoff that can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

• Dirt or sediment from construction projects or erosion cloud water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats.
• Excess nutrients from fertilizer can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Low oxygen levels make it impossible for fish and other aquatic organisms to exist.
• Debris – plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts – washed into water-bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, and birds.
• Hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish or ingesting polluted water.
• Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

What you can do?

• Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots, especially around storm drains.
• Cover grease storage areas and dumpsters and keep them clean to avoid leaks.
• Apply fertilizers and pesticides according to label instructions and prevent runoff to storm drains. Avoid over watering after application.
• Do not pour water from carpet cleaning, or mop buckets into storm sewers. Only into approved floor drains or utility sinks.
• Do not allow anything other than rain water to go into the storm drain.
• Report illegal dumping or suspicious discharges in regards to school district properties to Zach Nannestad, Environmental Health Manager for DCSD, (303)-387-0467.

Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Water

Q: Why is storm water runoff a problem?
A: Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants on the ground and flow into a storm sewer, which then leads directly to a lake, stream, creek, river, etc. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

Q: Is every school district required to implement storm water pollution prevention programs?
A: Yes, every school district with school sites with capacities of more than 1,000 people (students, staff, etc.).

Q: Have other school districts already implemented the program?
A: Yes. Area school districts include Denver, Boulder, Poudre, and Adams 12 Public Schools.

Q: Will instructional information be made available to the teachers and school staff?
A: Yes, the EPA and CDPHE have provided information for classroom use. This information can be accessed at the following site:

http://www.epa.gov/OST/KidsStuff