Article Contributed on: 11/27/2006 12:31:50 PM
BRIGHTON -- The Adams County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 11, concerning illicit discharges to the waters of the state within unincorporated Adams County, in the Nov. 16 public hearing. Enforcement of this ordinance allows Adams County to protect the quality of stormwater from those who would pollute into storm drains, detention ponds, rivers and creeks.
"Many people don't realize that the source of most of our drinking water comes from stormwater through our storm drains," said Board of County Commissioner Chairman
Alice Nichol. "If we all become aware of the things we do in our daily lives that create pollution in our stormwater and make some positive changes, we can make a dramatic improvement to our water quality."
By adopting Ordinance No. 11, Adams County is in compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act. This ordinance prohibits illegal connections to the storm sewer system; sets up procedures through inspections and enforcement in order to find and eliminate illegal discharges into the storm sewer system.
An illegal discharge is any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge into the storm drain system such as trash, paint products, restaurant grease, oil, antifreeze, petroleum products and cleaning products, etc.
Additionally, the Adams County Stormwater Quality Awareness Program has been established to promote public awareness on common residential pollutants, such as the proper application of lawn chemicals, such as fertilizer and pesticides. This program also educates the public on the hazards involved in the improper disposal of pet waste and oil and other pollutants into the storm drainage system and promotes recycling.
"Stormwater that flows into storms drains is not treated and flows directly into rivers and creeks," said drainage engineer
Kelly Hargadin of Adams County. "Over time, Colorado's stormwater quality has been deteriorating because of the amount of pollution going into the stormwater. Environmental Protection through the Colorado Department of Public Health is requiring local governments to enforce this ordinance."
There are many things we can do to improve water quality. Some helpful tips are:
· Do not litter.
· Pick up pet waste and dispose of properly through the trash.
· Use fertilizer and pesticides sparingly.
· Recycle used motor oil and antifreeze.
· Take advantage of the Household Chemical Round-up offered by the Tri-County Health Department.
· Rinse out paint brushes and pans in the sink, not in the gutter.
· Call 911 if you believe the matter is an urgent water quality concern such as something unusual in a ditch or waterway such as unusually colored water, the appearance of a fuel slick or a suspicious material on the land that could wash in to the storm drain system.
· If you notice something that is not urgent (it can wait until the next day), please call the Adams County call line at 303-453-8787 or e-mail khargadin@co.adams.co.us.
For more information on Adams County's Ordinance No. 11 or the Stormwater Quality Awareness Program, please go to
www.co.adams.co.us or contact Hargadin, the county's drainage engineer, at 303-453-8766.