Community Developments

This article comes from Roanoke County's Stormwater Guide for Homeowners. Read the full newsletter for even more ideas and information about stormwater management.

In recent years, the water quality in the Roanoke River and its tributaries has remained in poor condition because of high levels of bacteria, PCBs, and sediment pollution caused from stormwater runoff. As a homeowner, you might wonder if there is really anything you can do that would truly make a difference in helping to keep such pollutants out of stormwater runoff. As it turns out, there are many easy ways to do this, especially for minimizing sediment and bacteria.

Here are the top 10:

1. Plant More Plants. By planting more plants in strategic locations, you can limit erosion from your yard, minimize stormwater runoff, and improve filtration for any runoff that does leave your property. Be sure to pick plants that will thrive in the local conditions while avoiding invasive species. Make sure to consider sun exposure, soil moisture, and soil type. Go ahead, take the pledge and start planting more plants today!

2. Scoop the Poop! What’s the big deal? It’s just a little poop, right? Well the next time your pup poops, think of this: 1 gram of dog droppings has over 20,000,000 E. coli bacteria colonies in it! YIKES!!!

3. Direct all Stormwater Runoff from Paved Areas and Rooftops to the Lawn. This serves to filter the stormwater, reduce its flow, and allows for some infiltration into the soil.

4. Use a Drip Pan When Changing Your Vehicle’s Oil. Also, clean up spilled oil by pouring cat litter on it; then sweep it up and put it in the trash.

5. Mulch Mow, OR Bag Leaves and Grass Clippings. For bagged materials, place the bags out on the street for bulk/brush collection day. NOTE: Leaves that are deliberately swept, raked, or blown into the street, ditches, swales, drainage inlets, or receiving creeks, streams, or rivers constitute an illicit discharge into the County’s storm drainage system!

6. Throw All Trash in the Trash Can. Also, “keep your butts out of the gutter.” Put cigarette butts in ashtrays.

7. Minimize the Use of Fertilizers and Herbicides. And, use a soil test to determine how much of these products to apply.

8. Pump Out Your Septic Tank. Have it pumped out regularly to prevent sewage overflow.

9. Wash Your Car on the Grass. The grass is a great filter. Or, use a commercial car wash.

And last but not least . . . .

10. Report Illicit Discharges! If you see someone placing anything into the storm drainage system, which includes storm drainage inlets, curb and gutter systems, roadside ditches, and underground drainage pipes, please report the activity to the County by clicking on “Report a Concern” on the County’s website or call us at (540) 772-2065.

If possible, take a picture of the illicit discharge activity when it is occurring and forward the pictures to the County's Stormwater Program Manager in the Department of Community Development, Stormwater Division, 5204 Bernard Drive, 2nd Floor, Roanoke, VA 24018.
Or, send it by email to: stormwater@roanokecountyva.gov. County staff will investigate the incident and attempt to resolve the issue. Also, to learn more about the harmful effects of illicit discharges on the area’s receiving waters, please watch our public education videos.

Remember, only rain down the storm drain.