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 Storm water begins as rain or snowmelt that falls on or washes over both pervious (grass, woodlands, gardens and other undeveloped lands) and impervious surfaces (roofs, driveways, parking lots, streets, and other hard surfaces). It flows from rooftops, through lawns, over paved streets, sidewalks and parking lots, across bare soil, and eventually flows untreated into storm drains to our streams, creeks, and rivers.
Storm water runoff is created from excess water that cannot be absorbed by pervious surfaces or from water flowing off impervious areas. Rather than being absorbed into the ground, rainwater enters the City's storm water drainage system, a network of catch basins, yard inlets and pipes that keep water from flooding roads and property. Water is diverted through the network and eventually to the City's streams, rivers, and lakes. As it flows, runoff collects and transports pet waste, soil, pesticides, fertilizers, oil and grease, litter, and other pollutants. These materials carried with the storm water are called non-point source pollution, and are some of the largest sources of pollution to our water. Because storm water has the potential to pick up pollutants as it crosses over the land, its protection is vital to the health of our environment and our drinking water.
You Can Protect Our Waterways
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Report Illegal Dumping. If you have witnessed illegal dumping in the City of Grand Prairie or know of a location where illegal dumping has occurred, please call the Illegal Dumping Hotline at 972-237-8064
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Remember to turn off your sprinklers when it rains to avoid water runoff; during winter, runoff can freeze causing slippery conditions. No matter how much you water it, concrete will not bloom! Prevent runoff and save the water for your plants!
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Select native and adapted plants and grasses that are drought and pest resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Learn more about native and adaptive plants at www.txsmartscape.com.
- Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Vegetation can help act as a natural filter for polluted storm water runoff.
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Don’t get rid of grass clippings and other yard waste by dumping it or sweeping it into the storm drain (click here to watch video); this will cause depleted oxygen for aquatic life. Instead, compost your yard waste.
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 Don’t get rid of old or unused paint by throwing it down the storm drain (click here to watch video); dispose of paint and other household hazardous waste at recycling facilities. The city of Grand Prairie hosts a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off event several times a year where Grand Prairie residents may drop off household hazardous waste such as paint, motor oil, and pesticides. Check out www.timetorecycle.com for more information on recycling opportunities.
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Don’t mess with Texas!!! Throw litter away in a garbage can, not out your window. Recycle what you can! Litter carried away by wind or rain goes directly into our creeks and rivers via storm drains! Once in our waterways, these “floatables” can cause flooding, trap and choke wildlife, impede recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, and boating, cause adverse economic impacts on businesses, and reduce the aesthetic value of our neighborhoods and waterways.
 Watch these storm water videos, courtesy of Salt Lake County Engineering Division:
For a broad overview of storm water pollution, including runoff from residential and commercial properties, farms, construction sites, automotive facilities, forestry operations, and others, please visit http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/after_the_storm.pdf (English) or http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/after_storm_spanish.pdf (Spanish).
To view the City of Grand Prairie Storm Water Ordinance, go to http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?sid=43&pid=10142 |
