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What is Stormwater Runoff |
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F.A.Q. |
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How You Can Help |
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Yard debris collects at a storm drain inlet. During dry
and wet weather flows, this debris will make its way to the Indian River Lagoon contributing to its deterioration. |
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What we are
doing... |
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As required by the federally mandated NPDES program, the City of Melbourne has undertaken many
pollution control measures in keeping harmful wastes and
runoff from entering our receiving waters.
These efforts include minimum
control measures such as Public Education and Outreach, Public
Involvement and Participation, Illicit Discharge Detection and
Elimination, Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control and
Good Housekeeping for municipal operations.
The City of Melbourne has
numerous projects and programs ongoing and
planned for the next several years that will
help alleviate flooding and reduce the amount of
pollutants that enter our water bodies. |
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Stormwater
Utility
Contact Information |
City of Melbourne
Engineering Department
Stormwater Utility
900 Strawbridge Ave
Melbourne, FL 32901 |
Telephone: (321)
608-7341
Fax: (321) 608-7319
engineering@melbourneflorida.org |
Report Stormwater
Pollution!
Call the Stormwater Hotline at 953-6241 |
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Stormwater
Runoff
Stormwater runoff is rainwater that does not seep into the
ground after a rainfall. Impervious surfaces like
driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and streets prevent
stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.
It drains off your property, entering into our storm
drains.
Why is
Runoff a Problem?
Besides
obvious flooding issues, stormwater
can pick up pollutants such as debris, yard waste,
fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, oil, pet waste, and
flows into our storm drain system or directly into the
Indian River Lagoon, Crane Creek, Eau Gallie River, Lake
Washington and Horse Creek.
Anything
that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated
into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and
drinking water. Over the years,
contaminated stormwater has contributed to a steady
deterioration of the Indian River Lagoon.
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Polluted
stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants,
fish, animals and people? Just look at these examples:
Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for
aquatic plants to grow. It can also destroy aquatic
habitats.
Excess
nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae dies,
they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that
removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic
organisms can't exist in water with low dissolved oxygen
levels.
Bacteria
and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and
create health hazards.
Debris
- plastic bags, bottles, cigarette butts - washed into the
water bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable the aquatic
life.
Household
hazardous wastes - like insecticides, pesticides,
fertilizers, paint,
solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison
aquatic life. Land animals and people become sick from
eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted
water. |
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