Stormwater Glossary
Air Pollutants can contaminate water bodies via rain and snowstorms. Five categories of air pollutants are most likely to degrade water quality through atmospheric deposition: nitrogen compounds, mercury, other metals, pesticides, and combustion emissions. The largest single source of nitrogen compounds to the atmosphere is the combustion of fossil fuels. Use less fuel, spend less money, and keep pollutants out of the air and water.
Animal wastes - The wastes of pets and wildlife in the well area can threaten drinking water with bacteria and nutrients. Pick up after pets. Pet waste can be flushed down the toilet or wrapped and thrown in the trash. Place bird feeders and other wildlife attractants at a distance from your well.
Automotive fluids - Catch fluids as you change them. Before you begin, place absorbent materials like rags, pads, newspaper or kitty litter under the vehicle. Place a container on top of these materials to catch the old fluids. Recycle used oil at gas stations or auto parts stores. Take heavily soiled materials and used transmission, brake, or other engine fluids to the county’s Household Hazardous Waste D.E.P.O.T. Call 607-273-6632 for drop-off dates. Place only lightly soiled materials in the trash.
Reduce boat speeds - High boat speeds near shore produce waves that pound the shoreline and cause soil to erode into and cloud the water. Slowing down near shore helps protect fish spawning grounds and other fragile aquatic habitats.
Buy local - With shorter shipping distances, less pollution gets precipitated back down into our waters. Local farmer's markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) are great ways of getting fresh local produce. Local producers keep your money in the community!
Carpool, bus, walk or bike - By eliminating one 20-mile car trip per week, you can reduce weekly carbon emissions by 18 pounds! Do trip chaining - with a tiny bit of organization, you can combine errands, save gas, money and time. For short trips, walk or bike and enjoy the free exercise.
Chemicals should be stored safely - Store all household chemicals in their original, labeled containers in a dry, cool, well-ventilated, area, locked and out of reach of children and pets.
Chemicals should be disposed of safely - Dispose of unwanted products at the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division’s D.E.P.O.T. Call 607-273-6632 for D.E.P.O.T. drop-off dates. Do not disopose of household chemicals down the drain. Toxic household chemicals, such as drain cleaner, kill beneficial bacteria. This upsets the natural functioning of the septic system. Proper use of household cleaners or rinsing small amounts of paint thinner when cleaning brushes will not harm the system.
Chemicals that are hazardous can pollute drinking water. - If spilled or used too close to a well, hazardous chemicals
Drinking water - Surface water provides drinking water for approximately 55% of Tompkins County residents. Three water treatment facilities in the county rely on surface water drawn from Cayuga Lake, Fall Creek or Six Mile Creek. With increased pollution loads, treating water for drinking is much more costly - and often less effective - than preventing contamination from ever occurring.
Inspecting a drinking water well - Check the fit of the well cap and the integrity of the screen. Ensure that the ground slopes away from the casing and that the casing is securely seated in the ground. Make any repairs before testing your water, because repairs may let in bacteria.
Disinfecting a drinking water well - The Tompkins County Health Department (607-274-6688) and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (607-272-2292) have detailed instructions for disinfecting a well using a process called “shock disinfection” or “shock chlorination.” You will need to wait until chlorine from this process is no longer present in the water before taking a water test.
Drinking water well construction - In construction of a safe well, a steel or plastic pipe casing is installed. The well casing extends above the ground at least one foot and ends with a well cap. The tightly fit well cap has a downward-facing, screened vent to keep out vermin and insects. The surrounding ground slopes away from the well casing so that water will drain away from it. The space between the casing and the soil around it is sealed with grout, usually cement or a special clay called bentonite. The grout prevents rainwater, which can carry contaminants, from running down the outside of the casing where it might enter the well without the benefit of being filtered through the soil.
Testing drinking water from a well- Coliform bacteria and nitrate are two indicators commonly used to assess the overall health of a well. Both are relatively easy and inexpensive to test for in a laboratory. Their presence indicates that the well is susceptible to contamination and that other more harmful organisms or chemicals may be capable of entering it. Test annually for coliform bacteria and nitrate and keep records of the results and date. Test more often if a formula-fed infant or a pregnant or nursing mother lives in the household; if someone develops an unexplained illness; or if you notice a change in taste, odor or appearance of your water. If you suspect contamination from a historical use or upstream source, you may want to run additional tests for the presence of suspected pollutants. Water testing should be done by a certified lab, which follows rigorous quality control measures. If a test of your well water shows any coliform bacteria or nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter, contact the Tompkins County Health Department at 607-274-6688 for assistance.
Energy Efficiency:
CFLs - According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. By replacing an incandescent bulb with a CFL, you can avoid replacing it again up to 10 times and save nearly $30 over the life of the bulb.
Energy Star is not a brand or model. It is a government rating system that helps consumers to find quickly energy saving appliances.
Fans vs. AC - Fans use one-tenth the energy of an air conditioner.
Hot water - One third of a home's heating fuel is used for hot water.
Engines - The kind and care of an engine influences the amount of fuel consumed, the percentage burned, and the amount released unburned. New four- and two-stroke boat engines are more efficient than the carburetor-powered two-stroke engines on older boats and personal watercraft. The older engines use gasoline and oil inefficiently. The fuel enters the combustion chamber from the carburetor while the exhaust is leaving the chamber. As a result, as much as 30 percent of the raw fuel gets ejected out of the engine along with its cooling water. Hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and toxic constituents of gasoline present in two-stroke engine fuel are all known water pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set emission standards for boat engines in 1998, which are to be completely phased in to all new engines by 2006. In response to EPA standards, the boating industry developed more efficient four-stoke and two-stroke engines, both of which are now widely available. These newer, efficient engines are not only less-polluting – they also start more easily and have faster acceleration and quicker throttle response.
Erosion – Erosion is the process by which wind or water wears away soils and rocks. Erosion caused by flowing water naturally changes the shapes and location of streams and shorelines over a geological time frame of hundreds or thousands of years. Human development of the landscape increases the quantity of stormwater runoff. This accelerates erosion, which can contribute to property damage, soil loss and environmental degradation. Development is on the rise in Tompkins County. According to the Tompkins County Planning Department, the number of tax parcels increased by more than 1,400 during the four year period from 2002 to 2005. Landowners most often subdivide their property, which creates more tax parcels, when they plan to develop it.
Although the nutrients found in fertilizers - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium - are necessary for a dense, healthy lawn, many homeowners fertilize more than necessary. The extra nutrients harm your lawn and waste money. Excess nutrients can run off or seep into the ground. The increased nutrients in waterways stimulate algae blooms and plant growth, which in turn reduce the oxygen available to fish and other aquatic life. These waters may look, smell, and taste bad. Public water systems have to work overtime to remove bad tastes caused by excess algae.
Fertilizers - Most lawn fertilizers contain three nutrients - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K). Each bag of fertilizer lists the percentage, by weight, of N-P-K such as 21-3-20. Although these nutrients are needed to have a dense, healthy lawn, some homeowners apply up to seven times the amount of fertilizer that grass can use. To find out the amount and correct mixture of fertilizer that could benefit your lawn, have the soil tested for nutrients. Soil test results indicate the amount of fertilizer to apply over the course of one year. Applying extra nutrients wastes your money and can harm, rather than help, your lawn. Too much fertilizer can also harm our water. Excess nutrients can run off or seep into the ground. The increased nutrients in waterways stimulate algal blooms and plant growth, which in turn reduce the oxygen available to fish and other aquatic life. These waters may look, smell and taste bad. Public water systems have to work overtime to remove bad tastes caused by excess algae.
Fertilizing - A complete soil test analysis reports how much fertilizer is needed in one year for the specific grass you are growing. Fertilize once in early September, or divide the recommended amount in half and apply the first half in mid-May to early June and the second half in early September. For soil sampling instructions and testing fees, contact Cooperative Extension (607-272-2292). Remember that over-fertilizing your lawn provides no benefit. It simply wastes money and may harm the environment. When applying fertilizer, sweep up any that lands on driveways or sidewalks so that it does not wash away with the next rainfall. Avoid chemical applications near drinking water wells, stormwater drains, or by streams, marshes, ponds or the lake.
Flooding – The best solution to flooding is prevention. Porous soils absorb water and reduce flooding downstream. When porous soils are covered with buildings, roads, parking lots or driveways, they no longer absorb water. As more areas in the watershed are developed, buildings that have stood by streams for centuries may become prone to flooding. One of the worst areas to pave or construct buildings is on floodplains. Floodplains are the stream's natural design for accommodating floodwaters.
Food scraps and grease - Avoid using a sink garbage disposal. Do use drain traps. These measures will keep solids from building up in the septic tank. Do not use the toilet as a trash can. Paper towels, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts or cat litter can clog and damage your septic system.
Fuel spills - If you have bad luck and spill oil or fuel in the water, stop the source of the spill first and then focus on containing it with absorbent materials. Do not apply detergents or liquid soap to spills because it emulsifies oil, causing the slick to disperse and then sink. For a small fuel spill that cannot be reached with absorbent materials, let the fuel float at the surface where it will partially evaporate. Immediately report any large spills of petroleum or any other hazardous material to the NYS Spill Hotline at 800-457-7362 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week).
Grasses seed- Select a grass mixture adapted to your site, such as a shady seed mix for a shady site. Buy the best grass seed you can – one with improved varieties that may be naturally greener in color and have more resistance to pests. Avoid buying cheap or bargain-bin seed; you will pay for it later. Cheap seed often contains undesirable species, such as clump forming grasses better suited for pastures, and some contain a high percentage of weed seed. Keep in mind that a site that is too steep, too shaded or too acidic may be more suitable for a groundcover than a lawn. Instead of grass, consider perennials that require little or no supplemental water, pesticides or fertilizers. Some groundcovers such as ajuga, creeping thyme and Mazus reptans will tolerate being walked on, as long as the foot traffic is light.
Groundwater - Groundwater refers to water beneath the earth’s surface - often between saturated soil and rock - that supplies wells and springs. Surface water and groundwater are closely linked. Groundwater springs often partially supply reservoirs, rivers, wetlands and other surface water bodies. This is how streams keep flowing during dry periods. Groundwater also depends on water leaching down through soil from the land surface to replenish its volume. When pesticides or fertilizers are poorly applied or used in excess on agriculture or athletic fields, lawns or gardens, the chemicals can contaminate both surface and groundwater supplies. When these chemicals are applied in excess of what plants can absorb, stormwater can transport them into streams, lakes and reservoirs. Or, they can leach through the soil into groundwater supplies, especially if the ground has a puncture like a poorly maintained well. When groundwater becomes polluted, it is difficult and costly to clean it. Once deep underground, pollutants may persist for a long time because of the lack of microbial organisms, light, heat and oxygen to break pollutants down.
Low or no-phosphate products - phosphorus, an ingredient in some cleaning products, is not toxic but does cause water quality problems, including algal blooms and excessive growth of waterweeds. Phosphorus is one of the top pollutants of concern in the Cayuga Lake Watershed. Though banned from some cleaning supplies like laundry detergents, phosphate is still found in dishwasher detergents and other cleaners. Look for low or no-phosphate products.
Mowing often and at the optimal height encourages healthy growth and deep rooting of grasses. You will get rid of weeds because most species cannot tolerate frequent mowing. You should be able to set your mower to different heights. In general, longer grass provides better shade for the soil and cooler surface temperatures. An ideal height for most grasses is 3 inches or higher. The key is to remove no more than 1/3 of the grass height with each mowing (which may mean mowing twice a week at some times of the year). If you keep up with mowing, leave the clippings on the lawn because they supply some nitrogen. If you must remove them, try composting them, or use them as mulch when landscaping. Do not dispose of grass clippings in water bodies, wetlands or in the street where they can be washed into the stormwater drainage system. Sharpen mower blades after every 4 to 6 hours of use. Dull mower blades shred the ends of the grass, increasing potential disease and lawn browning.
Neighborhood Notification Law - Tompkins County law requires that homeowners applying pesticides to ground, trees or shrubs on outdoor property of more than 100 square feet post visual notification markers around the lawn to warn others of the pesticide application. The purpose is to allow neighbors to know that pesticide application is occurring next door to them, so that they can then take any precautions they feel are necessary, such as keeping children and pets away from the affected area, closing doors and windows, or protecting objects like lawn furniture or pools from possible spray drift. For posting requirements, visit
http://www.tompkins-co.org/health/nnl.htm.
The Neighbor Notification Law became effective January 1st, 2003 following adoption by the County Legislature. It requires that homeowners applying pesticides to ground, trees or shrubs on outdoor property of more than 100 square feet must post visual notification markers around the lawn to warn others of the pesticide application.
Oil absorbent pads, bilge socks or pillows selectively absorb fuel while repelling water. They are useful for cleaning accidental spills. They also should be placed in the bilge of all boats with inboard engines. Some inboard boat owners have bilge switches installed to prevent oily bilge discharge. Alternatively, the vessel's bilge pump can be connected to a filter that removes petroleum products from the bilge water. For outboard engines, bilge socks can be used to absorb drips and spills. Replace absorbent materials as needed. To extend their useful life, use gloves to wring them out onto an absorbent rag and re-use them. Properly dispose of used oil, filters, oil rags and absorbent pads at facilities designed to handle these toxic items. For disposal instructions, contact the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division at 607-273-6632.
Oil and engine lubricants are powerful and lasting contaminants. Because oil and water don’t mix, oil spreads out in a thin layer to an extent that just one quart of oil can contaminate 2 million gallons of water, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. While large oil spills generate a lot of media attention, they account for a small percentage of the oil dumped into our waterways. Every eight months, another 11 million gallons of oil and grease - the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez - will run off developed areas into U.S. waterways. When caring for your car, lawn mower or any other machine, be sure to recycle or properly dispose of oil, antifreeze, other fluids and batteries.
Oil refueling - spills are prevented when these steps are followed:
• Ensure boat stability
• Use a container you can handle easily
• Pour fuel slowly and smoothly into a funnel or use a portable gas line with an automatic safety nozzle that stops when the tank is full
• Slow down at the beginning and end of fueling
• Fill only until 90 percent full to allow room for thermal expansion. Do not top off the tank.
• If possible install a fuel/air separator along the vent line to allow air, but not fuel, to escape through the vent opening. Close the vent on portable gas tanks when the engine is not in use or when the tank is stored.
• Transport and store gasoline out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
Pest Management - Following the steps above will help keep your lawn dense, healthy and able to fend off much of the damage caused by pests. If you still have problems, choose the least toxic option that is likely to be effective for treating them. For help identifying pests and guidance on alternative pest management strategies, contact Cooperative Extension’s GrowLine at 607-272-2292.
Pesticides used to create "perfect" lawns may find their way underground as invisible, dissolved compounds. Picked up by groundwater as it moves below the land's surface, these pollutants can spread into the watershed. Polluted water is difficult and expensive to clean, and once water is contaminated it may remain unusable for years or even decades.
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products - Pharmaceuticals and personal care products, collectively referred to as PPCPs, are an emerging concern. PPCPs include thousands of products, such as caffeine, pain killers, steroids, birth control pills, antiperspirants, insect repellants and fragrances. Used by everyone, PPCPs enter our wastewater systems when we shower or flush. Neither municipal wastewater treatment systems nor home septic systems are designed to fully remove them. Although many PPCPs quickly dissipate, aquatic organisms are continually exposed to low levels of PPCPs. Some PPCPs are known to disrupt the hormones and sexual development of fish and other aquatic organisms. It is not yet known whether the low levels of PPCPs found in water pose an exposure risk to humans. Further research and an appropriate disposal strategy are high priorities for addressing PPCPs in the aquatic environment. In 2005, the Finger Lakes Institute began studying PPCPs in Seneca Lake. You can urge the NY state government to follow the state of Maine's example and legislate a PPCP take-back program to minimize the accumulation of drugs in our waters.
Plants and animals - Fish, ducks, turtles, and other aquatic life can be sickened or killed from polluted water. Animals, and people, higher up on the food chain can become ill from contact with contaminate water or fish.
Read product labels! - Although many products are exempt from labeling requirements, the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act states that cleaning products containing chemicals known to harm human health must state the degree of known toxicity on the label. A label with no signal word does not indicate a hazard. A label stating CAUTION or WARNING indicates a moderate hazard like skin irritation or vomiting. DANGER indicates more severely toxic chemicals that could cause skin burns or stomach ulcers, for instance. POISON indicates a highly toxic substance that could be fatal if ingested. Call toll-free numbers on product labels to request a complete list of ingredients known as a “MSDS” for Material Safety Data Sheet.
Rain garden – Homeowners in many parts of the country are catching on to rain gardens. These landscaped areas planted to wild flowers and other native vegetation soak up stormwater. The rain garden fills with a few inches of water after a storm and the water slowly filters into the ground rather than running off to a storm drain. Compared to a conventional patch of lawn, a rain garden allows about 30% more water to soak into the ground. Rain gardens add beauty to yards and neighborhoods, provide habitat for butterflies and birds, help reduce flooding, and help protect streams and lakes from pollutants.
Recreation – Streams and lakes are natural magnets for recreation, such as swimming, boating and fishing. But bacterial contamination, sedimentation, or excessive nutrients like phosphorus can threaten recreational uses of water resources. For example, increased amounts of phosphorus entering waterways from fertilizers, septic systems and pet waste can stimulate algae blooms and plant growth. As these plants die and decompose, they reduce the amount of oxygen available to fish and other aquatic life. Excess plant growth stimulated by abundant phosphorus can impair many recreational uses. Boating, swimming and fishing become a chore when lakes and streams look, smell and taste bad, or become physically difficult to navigate.
A septic system consists of two main parts: a septic tank and a drain or leach field. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank where heavy solids settle and are partially decomposed by bacteria to form sludge. Light solids and grease float to the top forming a scum layer. The partially treated wastewater of the middle layer, called effluent, moves from the septic tank into the drain field, where it is further filtered and decomposed by soil microorganisms.
Septic System — An on-site wastewater treatment system, commonly called a septic system, consists of two basic parts: a septic tank and a soil absorption field, often called a drain field or leach field. Wastewater flows from a home or business to the septic tank where heavy solids settle and are partially decomposed by bacteria to form sludge. Light solids and grease float to the top of the tank and form a scum layer. The partially treated wastewater of the middle layer, called effluent, moves from the septic tank into the drain field, where it is further purified through filtration and decomposition by soil microorganisms. A common misconception is that septic systems are disposal systems. In fact, they are treatment systems designed to remove contaminants from wastewater before it returns to the environment.
Septic system drain fields should be protected - Paving, erecting structures, or driving a vehicle heavier than a lawn tractor over your drain field compacts the soil and reduces the system’s capacity to treat wastewater. Grasses and other shallow-rooted plants are the best cover for the drain field. Because tree roots can clog the distribution pipes in your septic system, maintain at least a ten-foot separation between trees and the outer perimeter of your septic system.
Septic tank additives are never needed. Even a freshly pumped tank contains all the microbes needed to work properly. Some additives merely waste your money while others can harm your septic system and pollute the groundwater.
Septic tank pumping, done regularly, is the most effective way to prolong the life of your sewage system. If your septic system is nearing the end of its effective life, pump the tank annually.
Sewage contains harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. It is also a fertilizer that promotes excessive growth of waterweeds. For boaters, an on-board toilet is convenient. Use the nearest pump-out service whenever needed and before storing your boat for the winter. Marinas around the lake provide pump-out facilities for disposing your boat’s sewage and federal law prohibits discharging untreated sewage (even if dosed with a deodorant product) in U.S. waters within three miles of land.
Soil Testing - To maximize your lawn’s health, you need to know about the soil that it grows in so that you can plant optimum grass species or fertilize suitably for your soil conditions. Soil pH and fertility are determined by analyzing a composite soil sample from different locations throughout your lawn. Fertility describes the presence of nutrients and minerals in the soil, while pH measures acidity/alkalinity levels. Together the results tell what, if any, soil amendments like lime or sulfur are needed. Most of our desirable cool season grasses thrive in soils with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0. Soil testing is recommended every three years and can be done through Cooperative Extension (607-272-2292).
Stormwater runoff - precipitation that does not infiltrate into the ground or evaporate due to impervious land surfaces but instead flows onto adjacent land or water areas and is routed into drain/sewer systems.
Stormwater Runoff & Groundwater
The quick rush of stormwater into streams also affects groundwater. Under natural conditions, rainwater and snowmelt can soak into the soil, where it is stored as groundwater, and slowly released into springs, wells and streams. Between rain events, water flowing in streams comes from this groundwater. When water does not soak into the ground - because impervious surfaces and human-made drainage systems whisk it so quickly to the creek - groundwater is not replenished. Less groundwater is available to slowly feed streams over time. The result can be unnaturally low stream flow between storms, which stresses fish and other aquatic life. Similarly, groundwater supplies can be inadequate to replenish drinking water wells.
Stormwater Phase II regulations affect Tompkins County municipalities. These municipalities are referred to as MS4s, which stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. In these systems, rainwater or snow melt flowing down a storm drain travels untreated directly to a stream or lake. Tompkins county MS4's are:
City of Ithaca
Town of Caroline
Town of Dryden
Town of Ithaca
Town of Lansing
Town of Newfield
Town of Ulysses
Village of Cayuga Heights
Village of Lansing
Tompkins County
Trees - Mature trees can reduce your cooling and heating costs. If well placed, they will shade your home during hot summer months, which reduces cooling expenses. Come fall, a tree’s leaves drop, letting the sun in to warm your home, which reduces heating costs.
Underground storage tanks - Your fuel provider should annually inspect tanks currently in use. Underground tanks were once common for storing home heating fuel. Metal underground tanks can rust through without anyone noticing. By the time a leak in an underground tank has been identified, chances are that the leaking fuel has already contaminated groundwater. When possible, replace underground tanks with above ground storage tanks that can be inspected easily for damage.
Water Conservation- Extra water saturates the system and reduces its ability to process wastewater. Your system is designed only to treat household wastewater, not additional sources of water. Most households can reduce their water use by 15-20 percent. Start by fixing leaks both inside and outside the house. Upgrade appliances for dramatic water savings over older models. Also, divert sump pump drainage and runoff from roofs, patios, driveways, etc. away from your drain field.
Watering - Over-watering can harm your lawn. Healthy, actively growing grass thrives on 1 inch or less of water per week. Use a rain gauge, which can be as simple as placing a can in your yard, to measure the amount of precipitation.
Watershed - Simply put, a watershed is all the land contributing rainfall to a given body of water. A watershed functions like a funnel with water running downhill to the bottom, where the lake or stream is located. When rain falls it moves with gravity from higher to lower ground. Any water not quickly evaporated finds its way downstream through a system of groundwater flows, road ditches, wetlands, ponds and creeks, eventually filling the lowest point of the watershed. The highest points of land form the watershed divide between water bodies.
A Watershed drains to a common outlet. It is delineated by high points in the landscape, usually hills and ridges, from which all water flows downhill to a low point, such as a river, stream, pond, lake or wetland. Each small stream in a landscape is surrounded by its own watershed. Added together, such smaller watersheds make up the watershed for a larger stream, river or lake.