By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Good rains around Central Kansas have been rare in recent months, but when the precipitation does fall, it has to go somewhere. In Great Bend, storm drains carry the unfiltered runoff to various streams and sandpits throughout the community. Public Works Director Jason Cauley reminds residents to be mindful of what they can prevent from entering the storm sewer system, including grass clippings and fertilizers.
"Things like that can be swept down the storm sewer and can clog the storm sewer," he said, "as well as put those chemicals into our streams, which then would also precipitate growth of algae and other things that don't really need to be in our streams."
Leaky vehicles can also contribute to pollution in the storm drains. While those issues may be difficult to control, Cauley advises residents to use a car wash facility when hosing down a car. Wastewater there is contained, pumped, and transported to a treatment facility.
"If you do it at home, what they recommend doing is having you pull up in the grass and washing it," Cauley said. "The ground will act as a filter for those types of things. That will not get into the storm system itself."
Other tips from onlyraindownthedrain.com include:
- Fertilize sparingly. Use slow-release fertilizer with September being the best month for application.
- Mow high and leave the clippings on the lawn. It's the best kind of natural fertilizer.
- Avoid using fertilizers or pesticides near wellheads or within 75 feet of waterways.
- Sweep any lawn chemicals or yard debris back into the lawn. Sweep, don't hose, the driveway.