Dr. Karen Bell

Keep Liberty Beautiful

Twice a month, Keep Liberty Beautiful (KLB) gets the opportunity to work with some wonderful young people through our after-school programs with Dream Builders and the Boys & Girls Club. These programs give us the chance to take environmental education outside the traditional classroom and turn lessons into hands-on experiences.

This month, we are focusing on beach cleanups and stormwater pollution, and I have to admit, one of my favorite parts is watching the children’s reactions when they discover something they may have walked past hundreds of times without ever really thinking about it, which are storm drains.

Sometimes we take the things we see every day for granted. When we stop and explain to children what a storm drain does and where that water can go, you can almost see the light bulb come on. They suddenly realize that what happens on the street can have an impact on our waterways.

So, what exactly are those little openings in sidewalks and along our streets? Many people mistakenly believe they are part of the sanitary sewer system. They are not. Stormwater systems and sanitary sewer systems serve very different purposes. Water from our sinks, toilets, and indoor drains generally travels to a wastewater treatment facility or septic system where it is treated.

Stormwater is different. Rainwater that runs off rooftops, driveways, parking lots, lawns, and streets can enter storm drains, ditches, and drainage systems and eventually make its way into our creeks, rivers, wetlands, and coastal waterways.

In many cases, that water is not treated before it reaches our waterways.

Stormwater runoff can pick up litter, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, oil and grease, soil, and other pollutants as it travels across the landscape.

Think about a cigarette butt tossed beside a road. A plastic bottle left in a parking lot. Grass clippings blown into the street. Oil leaking from a vehicle. When the rain comes, all of those things have somewhere to go. And unfortunately, that somewhere may be our waterways.

Stormwater pollution can affect lakes, rivers, wetlands, creeks, and coastal waters. Excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can contribute to algae growth and reduce oxygen levels in the water. Oil and other pollutants from vehicles can harm water quality. Pesticides and fertilizers can negatively affect aquatic life. Pet waste can introduce harmful bacteria, while soil from construction sites can cloud the water and interfere with fish and plant habitat. Here are some easy ways to help: 1. Keep storm drains clean. Never dump anything into a storm drain, and keep leaves, grass clippings, and debris away from drains.

1. Wash your car responsibly. Wash your vehicle over grass or gravel when possible, using biodegradable or phosphate-free soap, or visit a commercial car wash.
2. Maintain your vehicle. Repair leaks and properly clean up oil, antifreeze, and other fluid spills.
3. Consider a rain garden or rain barrel. These are great ways to slow down and capture rainwater before it becomes runoff.
4. Use lawn and garden chemicals carefully. Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and consider environmentally friendly alternatives.
5. Mow smart. Keeping grass around 3 inches high can help conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn can also return nutrients to the soil.
6. Sweep instead of hosing. Sweep sidewalks and driveways rather than washing dirt and debris into the street.
7. Plant native plants. Native plants are adapted to our local environment and can help support wildlife while reducing maintenance and water needs.
8. Pick up after your pets. Pet waste belongs in the trash, not on sidewalks, streets, or near storm drains. 10. Reduce impervious surfaces. When possible, consider permeable pavers, gravel, bricks, or natural stone instead of additional concrete and asphalt.
9. Maintain your septic system. Regular maintenance can help prevent leaks and protect groundwater and nearby waterways.

Want to help? Join Keep Liberty Beautiful for the 2026 Rivers Alive cleanup on October 24, 2026. KLB provides all your cleaning supplies and free T-shirts.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, environmental education programs, or upcoming cleanups, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at 912-880-4888 or visit www.keeplibertybeautiful. org. Remember: Only Rain Down the Storm Drain!