Storm Water Quality

Storm Water Education

Clean Up After Your Pets

Pet waste left on the ground contributes harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses to our waterways, so it's important to clean up after your pet. Afterall, you have to drink that water!
http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewater/

Every Litter Bit Hurts!

Litter has become a significant source of nonpoint source pollution. Litter and debris impair water quality, as well as the aesthetic and recreational value of waters, and may also be a hazard to wildlife. Litter washes down the street during a rain shower, goes into the storm sewer, and ends up in your neighborhood creeks, rivers and lakes. And it stays there a long time. Cigarette butts can take 25 years to break down because of the plastic filters; plastic six-pack rings can take 100 years to break down; and a glass bottle will take 1,000 years. You don't want to swim in that mess do you? Do yourself and your fellow Texans a favor, don't litter.
www.dontmesswithtexas.org

The Dope on Soap

Detergent Is Our #1 Pollutant

If someone were to ask, "What is the most frequently encountered water pollutant in Fort Worth?" what would your answer be? Most people would think of pesticides or some other "toxic" compound. However, testing performed by the Department of Environmental Management since 1992 at over 500 sites around the city consistently shows detergents as our number one problem.

Do You Wash Your Car At Home?

Washing your car at home not only uses more gallons of water than a commercial car wash, but it also can introduce soap, oil, and engine grime to the environment.

Stream Sentinel Operational Guide

Stream_sentinel.pdf (PDF 332 kb / 33 pages) is a practical guide to in situ toxicity testing using fathead minnows or other native fish species developed for screening storm sewer outfalls. Sometimes referred to as the "fish in a bottle," the sentinel was created by the Fort Worth Department of Environmental Management, and is recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as an effective monitoring device. Winner of the EPA Region 6 1995 Regional Administrator's Environmental Excellence Award.