Homeowner's Tips to Stormwater Management: Vehicle Maintenance

Homeowner's Tips to Stormwater Management

What is stormwater and why is it important to manage?

When an area is developed, a large amount of impervious area, such as buildings and pavement, is introduced. When it rains, the water that once soaked into the ground is then carried into your ponds and lakes. If it is not managed properly, it can also lead to flooding. Additionally, the water carries pollutants with it, which are eventually carried into your streams, ponds, lakes, and the ocean. Stormwater has a large impact on the water quality and health of your environment.

What can I do to help?

Whether you live in Raleigh, Wilmington, Charlotte, or anywhere else, there are several simple and easy steps that you can take to play a role in protecting your creeks, ponds, and surrounding green spaces into healthy systems that can then be used as sanctuaries, habitats, and amenities by you and other local residents, as well as fish, and other wildlife.

Each week, we will introduce a new simple action you can take to contribute to the health of these systems!

This week: Vehicle Maintenance

Maintaining your car properly can prevent oil and other dangerous pollutants from leaking onto the street. Rain washes these materials from the streets into the nearest storm drain which is eventually carried into lakes and streams (some of which may even be used for drinking water)! 

 -Recycle used motor oil

-Maintain your vehicle to minimize leakage

-If there is a leak, use cloths or drip pans to collect the material

-Never dump any engine fluids, such as motor oil, antifreeze, or transmission fluid into storm drains, a ditch, or onto the ground

-Clean up any spills as soon as possible!