When it rains in Chandler, retention basins and parks in your neighborhood will occasionally fill up with stormwater. And even though it may seem like a great way to cool off, playing or swimming in stormwater runoff can pose serious health and safety risks.
Stormwater runoff flows across the ground and picks up pollutants like pet waste, oils, gas, pesticides, fertilizers, household chemicals, litter and just about anything else that finds its way into the street. Stormwater runoff doesn't go to a wastewater treatment plant; it enters our retention basins, parks, greenbelts and community lakes untreated.
Swimming in stormwater-filled retention basins could make you sick. Fecal bacteria and e-coli from animal waste are commonly found in runoff and can infect you by entering your mouth, nose, eyes, or open wounds.
How You Can Help Prevent Stormwater Pollution
- Report discharges that enter the street and storm drains by calling 480-782-3503.
- Dispose of pool water in a sanitary sewer clean-out or maintain it on your property.
- Maintain vehicles to be leak-free.
- Keep trash and other debris out of the storm drains.
- Pick up after your pets.
- Utilize the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility for proper recycling and disposal.
- Sweep yard debris and dispose of it properly, rather than blowing it into the street.
- Apply pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers per the manufacturer’s directions.
- Adjust sprinkler heads and controller/timer to avoid overwatering and runoff entering the street.
- Have landscape materials delivered and maintained on private property and ensure that sediment and debris do not enter the street.
- Maintain your landscape to prevent erosion and reduce sediment from entering the street.