Stormwater Management - Our Responsibility

What can we do to keep our stormwater clean?

Because stormwater is not treated or filtered locally, the storm drain system is a direct conduit to the Colorado River.

This means common pollutants found on our streets and yards will pollute the river:

Oil, soap, and other chemicals
Excess yard fertilizer
Debris and trash

Protecting the river from these pollutants is a responsibility we all share.

Graphic for Our drains, Our rivers, Our responsibility with woman and daughter leaning on raft with paddles and the Colorado River and Mountains in the background

Five tips for cleaner rivers

How can you help keep our rivers clean?

Most of us don't realize how many common actions can lead to stormwater pollution. While we know we shouldn't:

Pour chemicals down a storm drain.
Throw trash in the street.

We may not be aware that seemingly insignificant tasks can actually make a huge environmental impact.

Tip 1: Car washing

Why it Matters

When washing your car, choose one of these options:

Use a commercial car wash: Water used at car washes is collected and treated before being discharged, preventing pollution.
Wash on a porous surface (like your lawn): Washing your car on grass or gravel prevents the soapy water from running into the street and down the storm drain.

Soap contains phosphorus, which can use up dissolved oxygen in the water. This reduction in oxygen is harmful to fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Tip 2: Lawn and leaf litter

Clean up lawn clippings and leaves

While yard waste like leaves, grass clippings, and prunings seems organic, they are a major source of stormwater pollution.

When these materials wash into the storm drain, they create a high nutrient load that harms waterways by causing:

Excessive algae growth.
Rapid decay of organic matter.
Severely depleted oxygen levels in the water.

Instead of blowing yard debris into the street or gutter, please rake it up for disposal or create healthy compost or mulch.

Tip 3: Fertilization

Fertilize at the right time: after rain or when dry

Never fertilize right before a storm.

Fertilizers contain synthetic chemicals and high concentrations of nutrients. When these products run off your lawn during rainfall, they wash high amounts of phosphorus and nitrates directly into the river.

This nutrient overload creates an environment where algae and bacteria rapidly deplete the water's oxygen. This sudden drop in oxygen makes it impossible for aquatic wildlife to survive.

Tip 4: Pet waste

Clean up after your pet

Failure to clean up pet waste allows rain and snowmelt to wash pollutants directly into the storm drain and, ultimately, the Colorado River.

Pet waste harms the river by:

Depleting oxygen: It consumes oxygen in the water and releases harmful ammonia.
Causing pollution: It makes the water cloudy, green, and unattractive due to excessive fertility.
Spreading disease: It carries pathogens that can make the water unsafe for human contact

Tip 5: Report harmful activities

Report dumping and waste management concerns

The Stormwater Department is committed to protecting our Colorado River and wildlife.
If you witness illegal dumping or environmentally harmful activities, please contact our hotline.
Our representatives will follow up with the responsible parties, provide recommendations, and let you know if a resolution was reached.
Hotline: 970-263-8201