Storm Water

Storm Water Best Management Practices Start at Home

Everyone lives in a watershed. An “Ahupua`a” is the Hawaiian word that comes closest to meaning watershed. The Hawaiians were masters of land and resource management through their concept of the Ahupua`a land division- a division that starts at the source (top of the mountain or mauka) and ends at the sea or makai. The Ahupua`a limit is the reef. The near shore waters were an important food source. Some ahupua`a principles that may be transferred to watershed planning and management include access to a complete resource base, reverence for water, respect for all living things, coordination and cooperation, intergenerational learning, `ohana among people, and the connection between people and the land.

Linking the Storm Drain System, Urban Environment, Streams, and Ocean

Making the Connection Between Yards, Streets, Storm Drains, Streams, and the Ocean. Storm water runoff is the rain that flows to streets, streams and the ocean. As land is developed, much of the surface is paved or roofed, creating more runoff potential. Runoff can affect the quantity and quality of water that must be handled somewhere downstream. The runoff carries with it whatever can be dislodged from the various sites, such as soil, leaves, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, gasoline, and any other materials present on the surface. The storm drains are a system of underground pipes that have surface drains or inlets designed to gather storm water. Many people think that storm water is treated at wastewater treatment plants just like water from sanitary sewers (e.g. sinks, toilets, and baths). In Honolulu, storm water does not go to wastewater treatment plants.

Start at Home

Many simple yet effective methods can be used to help reduce individual runoff. These are called Best Management Practices or BMPs.

Some storm water BMPs can be implemented when first planning and building the home and designing the landscape. Others can be incorporated into day-to-day activities. These BMPs may seem rather simple or small, but the cumulative effect throughout an entire watershed can significantly contribute to improved storm water management.

Planning and Landscaping Best Management Practices

• Consider alternatives to concrete or asphalt paved surfaces. If you have a choice, consider more porous surfaces such as brick, gravel, wood chips, stone slab, or geo-textile materials. If areas must be paved, keep it to a minimum and direct runoff onto grassy areas, not onto areas that drain to storm sewers.
• Mulch and plant exposed soil as soon as possible. Use sediment barriers when necessary.
• Plant buffer strips of natural vegetation and woody plants to filter and slow runoff alongside waterways.

Working Together to Protect Our Waters for Life

Day to day best management practices:

• Keep sidewalks, curbs and gutters clean. Leaves and lawn clippings are a source of phosphorus.
• Mulch grass clippings and leave these on the lawn for natural fertility or use the clippings for composting.
• Avoid excess watering and overuse of pesticides and fertilizers – use only the amount needed and apply only when necessary.
• Store oil, paint, gasoline, antifreeze, and other automotive products properly, under cover. Keep these substances tightly sealed. Dispose of batteries and tires properly.
• Clean up oil or other vehicle fluid drippings. Do not store used vehicle parts on areas that drain to the storm sewer.
• Cleanup hazardous material spills properly and don’t wash waste into the storm sewer.
• Pick up pet waste.
• Wash vehicles at a commercial car wash or on a non-paved surface to avoid drains to the storm sewer.

Be a Part of the Solution

The City and County of Honolulu and the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, working under Federal Clean Water Act Guidelines, has a number of public education programs that focus on community involvement and targeted enforcement to eliminate or reduce illegal discharge practices. Existing projects such as the storm drain stenciling, Adopt-AStream Workshops, World Water Monitoring Day in October, Adopt-A-Block, and Adopt-A-Highway cleanup and monitoring programs, provide opportunities to train an interested and committed audience.

Report It

Discharging pollutants to the storm drain system is against the law. Violations can result in fines of up to $25,000 per violation, per day. As a resident, you can make a difference, both on the job and in your community. When you’re at home, share your knowledge with neighbors and family. As you drive to work, be aware of any illegal discharges. And, if you do see an illegal discharge, report it.

• Hawaii State Department of Transportation: (808) 587-2160
• City and County of Honolulu Environmental Concern Line: (808) 692-5656

For information on printed materials; schedule a presentation, training session, and City display; participate in volunteer programs, information about the bulky item Opala Nui islandwide schedule changes, refuse collection, recycling, household hazardous waste, composting and other disposal services, report illegal dumping, get information on Down the Drain Do’s and Don’ts for business operations, including the pretreatment program information and more.

References:

• City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services. Tips To Help Protect Our Waters … For Life.
• Maryland Department of the Environment
• University of Wisconsin Extension. Cleaning Up Storm Water Runoff.

Source: "Hawaii Backyard Conservation" (PDF), The U.S. Department of Agriculture.