For General Public Works FAQs
Why should I care what goes down the storm drain?
Everyone should be concerned about stormwater quality because what we
put down the storm drain will eventually end up in Lake Sammamish, the
Sammamish River, Lake Washington, or in the
groundwater which may be the
source of your drinking water! Read on for a more detailed
explanation about why grass clippings, etc are so harmful to stormwater.
How should I properly dispose of oil, tires and
batteries?
All of the above items can be taken the Household Hazardous Waste
Facility or specific businesses that recycle these products. More
information can be found in our
recycling pages.
Which are more harmful oil or grass clippings?
If you were to pour a quart of oil and a bag of grass clipping down the
storm drain at the same time clearly the oil would be the most harmful
to stormwater. However, most people know not to pour oil down the storm
drain but don’t think twice about hosing their yard waste down the storm
drain. When you examine the overall cumulative effect of thousands
of people sending their grass clippings down the storm drain versus the
few who put oil down the drain it becomes one of the top pollutants of
stormwater.
How does pet waste left on the grass affect stormwater?
Pet waste can be picked up by rain as it travels down the storm drain
carrying with it bacteria and other harmful materials into streams.
Why are grass clippings harmful to stormwater?
Yard waste contributes nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, which
cause unwanted and uncontrolled growth of algae and aquatic weeds. Algae growth
uses up oxygen in the water and may lead to suffocation of fish. Also, at the
clipping decay, bacteria need oxygen during the decaying process. Large
quantities of yard waste and clipping in stormwater and streams deplete the
oxygen supply in the water that fish and other aquatic need too.
Is it okay to sweep or wash away the dirt, grass
and/or other natural elements down the storm drain?
Fine dirt particles become suspended in water and can clog fish gills.
Then the dirt settles out, it can cover spawning areas. Pollutants, such as
fertilizer, grease, and pesticides attach to dirt particles which enter the
storm system along with the dirt.
Is it okay to wash my car on the driveway if I use a
biodegradable soap?
No. Cleaning products even if they are biodegradable can still be toxic
to fish and stimulate algae in plant growth which impact animal life.
See the car wash page for
alternatives.
Is it okay to wash my paintbrushes out in the
gutter?
No. Paint can be toxic to fish by interfering with breathing, plant
growth and effect the reproduction of water bugs.
Do you have projects that groups can get involved
with?
Yes. Group leaders may contact the Natural Resources Division’s
Volunteer Coordinator, Peter Holte, at
pholte@redmond.gov or
425-556-2822. More information can be found at
http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/volunteerenvironment.asp.
I have seen stencils over certain catch basins. How
do I get a stencil for a catch basin near me?
The City of Redmond has a program to
stencil catch basins with a message
to remind others to not dump anything down the storm drain because it drains
directly to a stream, lake, the river, or groundwater. The City will provide
stencils and paint to groups who want to stencil catch basins. Please contact
the Natural Resources Division’s volunteer coordinator, Peter Holte, at
pholte@redmond.gov or 425-556-2822 for
more information.
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