Non-Point Source Pollution and How You Can Help Keep Your Community Clean and Safe
 
Non-Point Source Pollution is pollution that does not come from a single point or location; this type of pollution is carried into lakes, rivers and streams by storm water runoff. When it rains, the runoff collects pollutants from streets, lawns and parking lots (such as oil, gasoline, fertilizer, pesticides, litter and animal wastes) and carries pollutants into the water body.
 

Flowood is one of the 31 designated municipalities in the State required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and follow a set of guidelines aimed at reducing non-point source pollution in local waters. By developing these guidelines, called a Storm Water Management Plan, Flowood has set goals for addressing six measures as set forth by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the EPA. These six measures include:

1) Public Education and Outreach;

2) Public Involvement/Participation;

3) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination;

4) Construction Site Runoff Control;

5) Post-construction Runoff Control;

6) Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Facilities.
 
How You Can Help Minimize Non-Point Source Pollution
 

1) Don’t dispose of any materials (including grass clippings, motor oil, detergents, etc.) down storm drains


2) Properly maintain storm drains – make sure they are free from trash and other debris


3) Make sure your septic system is properly functioning – maintain service and pump as necessary


4) When washing vehicles at home, make sure water and detergents flow into the grass, not the street


5) Use fertilizers/pesticides sparingly; dispose of empty containers properly


6) Pick up your animal’s waste


7) Recycle when possible and properly dispose of used household and office equipment and materials
 
Remember - Storm water runoff does not flow into a treatment plant – it flows directly into our streams, creeks and lakes. Please do your part to keep our waterways clean and safe for all of us to enjoy!
 


The following links can provide more information on water quality and pollution prevention:


http://www.epa.gov/water/citizen.html
A collection of Water sites with information to raise public awareness and encourage involvement in water quality issues; from the EPA


http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1419.htm
Information on correct use of your septic system; from the Mississippi State University Extension Service


http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1436.htm
Information on household cleaning products; from the Mississippi State University Extension Service


http://www.deq.state.ms.us/mdeq.nsf/page/nps_education_public_outreach
A collection of links on public education and outreach for teachers, students, community groups, and municipal officials; from MDEQ