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Hernando County National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Stormwater Program

You are Part of the Solution!

Everyone has a part to play. Reducing the pollution depends on every person preventing harmful natural or chemical substances entering the drains.

Hernando County is responsible for controlling and maintaining its Stormwater systems. However, it is everyone's responsibility to reduce the amount of rubbish and pollution that is carried into the drains. Local taxpayers have to foot the bill for cleaning out the stormwater system, and it's much more cost-effective to stop the problem at the top of the pipe than further downstream.

Everyone Can do Something to Reduce Stormwater Pollution

Some people are quick to complain about water pollution, especially when it affects their favorite river, lake or beach. They may not realize that they may be contributing to this pollution when they tip harmful materials down the drain or carelessly drop litter on the road. The reality is that we all have an impact on Stormwater quality, and we can all take steps to make a difference. You could make a difference just by changing the way you do something, like washing your car or walking your dog.

Activities which seem harmless or insignificant on a small scale can have an enormous cumulative impact on our waterways. Imagine thousands of people in the streets around you dropping a cigarette butt from their cars, sweeping dirt off their driveways or washing detergent off their cars down the street drains. It all ends up in the water.

Pollution at Home and in Your Street

Typical activities that can cause Stormwater pollution are:

• Car washing on the street or driveway: using detergent and allowing it to run down the street drain.

• Fixing your car on the street: letting used oil or other substances automotive fluids such as antifreeze, and transmission and brake fluid flow into the street drain.

• Disposing of garden waste: dumping or blowing grass clippings, leaves and other yard waste into the street, where they can get washed into ditches, canals or other storm drains.

• Dropping litter: leaving litter (or emptying your car's ashtray) where it will be washed into the street drains next time it rains

• Cleaning paint brushes: letting the contaminated water flow into the street drain.

• Hosing the driveway or sidewalk: letting the water carry dirt, soil or other waste into the street drains.

Tips to Reduce Stormwater Pollution
	Use Florida Friendly practices in your yard .
	Reuse plastic containers for oil from your car and cooking.  Recycle it at one of the drop off stations. Visit the Utilities Recycling Division for more information.
	Save Water. "Pollution Prevention and Water Conservation go hand-in-hand." Click here for more information on saving water

Pollution at Work

Typical activities at work that can cause Stormwater pollution are:

• Restaurants: not cleaning out the grease trap regularly and recycling it.

• Motor vehicle repairers or printers: letting oil, chemicals or other waste flow into the street drain. Contain oil, chemicals and other waste for the recycling center

• Builders: not shielding street drains from spilt chemicals or excess soil, sand, gravel or other building waste

• All work places: letting cigarette butts or litter fall into gutters or on driveways; letting chemicals, detergents or other harmful fluids run into street drains. Use receptacles and environmentally safe cleaners.

Recycle

You are the most important part of the Hernando County recycling program. Consider that the average household generates about 30 pounds of recyclable material every month. So two typical neighborhoods with about 30 houses each produce a ton of material every month that should be recycled. Multiply that one ton by every two neighborhoods in Hernando County, and it's easy to see how quickly the savings accumulate. You, and your neighbors, are the cornerstones of our recycling program's success.

Your participation that starts here, in Hernando County, makes a positive, impact because more and more people, are making the decision to recycle. By recycling you are eliminating waste that could be entering into our surface water. The more items a household recycles, the less waste we create in our storm sewers.

• For more information on recycling please visit:
  Hernando County's Utility Department

Herbicides-Pesticides-Fertilizers

Herbicides and pesticides are used to control unwanted or nuisance insects and plants. Fertilizers are used to make our lawns and gardens grow more. Excessive or careless use of these materials results in their being washed by Stormwater runoff into our lakes, streams and estuaries where they become pollution. When using these materials the best practice is to use the least toxic chemical that will do the job. And always follow the label instructions.

• For more information about the proper use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers, and information about maintaining your yard, please visit our County Cooperative Extension Web site.

• Classes, Workshops & More! County Extension Calendar Page.

Motor Oil

Proper disposal of motor oil is also very helpful in keeping unwanted discharges out of our storm sewers.

• For a list of collection points where used motor oil can be dropped off please visit our Utilities Department Web site Recycling Page.

Tips to Reduce Stormwater Pollution
	Before starting a project, prepare a plan, so you can buy the smallest amount of lumber, hardware, finishes or other materials.
	Mow your yard with a mulching mower to reduce grass clippings.
	If you fertilize your yard, do it in the fall, when it’s more effective and less is washed away by spring rains. It’s better for the grass and doesn’t produce the extra growth that results in more yard clippings.
	Estimate the amount of paint needed for a job and buy only what you need, saving leftover for touch-up or other projects.
	Rotate your car’s tires regularly, and keep them properly inflated -- it will make them last longer and save you money.
	Use integrated pest management (practices to avoid attracting pests and other natural methods of repelling pests) or non-toxic applications to reduce use of pesticides and protect your family's health. Ask your County Extension Agent about integrated pest management!