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Down the Drain-Where Does it Go?

Do you ever wonder when it rains, where the water goes after it runs into the storm drains on the street?  Or, what kind of "stuff" goes down the drain?  Where does it end up?

These drains connect to underground pipes which lead right to creeks like Cabin John and Rock Creek and to rivers like the Potomac. Lots of other stuff, besides water, most of it toxic, washes into storm drains. Motor oil and anti-freeze from leaky cars, trash, weed and bug killers, paint, and other household toxics get washed into water sources. 

All that stuff going down the drain is called stormwater pollution.  Some people don't know that stormwater pollution can hurt fish, birds, and critters that live in our creeks and rivers. But you and your family can help stop it!

What can you do?

Let's protect our creeks and rivers! 
Here are some things you and your family can do to prevent stormwater pollution:

  Home

  • If you wash your car at home, don't do it very often and use biodegradable soap and a pistol grip nozzle on your hose to conserve water. Or, even better, go to the car wash! They usually recycle the water, and it never goes to the storm drain. 
  • Recycle used motor oil and anti-freeze.
  • Once a month, remind your family to call the City of Rockville to pick up hazardous materials such as paint, cleaners, car batteries, used oil, and other toxic items. Call 301-309-3094 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, to arrange for a free collection.

  School

  • Use water-based paints like tempera and acrylic and wash up inside the classroom!
  • Start a recycling center for paper, plastics, glass, and cans.
  • Always put trash in trash cans — never in the street!
  • Ride your bike or the bus, or car pool with a friend.  When it rains, air pollution from cars and other sources, turns into water pollution.

  Outdoors

  • Remind your parents not to apply fertilizer, pesticides, or weed killers if rain is in the forecast!
  • If you see oil on your driveway, use kitty litter to soak up liquids, then sweep it up and throw it in the trash can.