PHOENIX — It doesn't rain too often in the desert. When it does, most don't think twice about where the rain goes. Eventually, stormwater will end up in one of the City of Phoenix's 760 outfalls.
"A lot of people don't realize that our storm sewer and sanitary sewers are separate," Jessica Pendle, Water Quality Inspector, City of Phoenix, said. "So every time you wash your hands, take a shower, or flush the toilet, all of that wastewater goes down into our sanitary sewers, it gets treated and reused."
Pendle's mission is to educate everyone about stormwater pollution. With more people moving to the Valley of the Sun, it's becoming a bigger problem.
"When you have pollution buildup in the storm drains, it can cause flooding. It can cause buildup. It can cause poor drainage," Pendle explained. "All of that can contribute to large issues we don't think about. Storm water and runoff eventually end up as our drinking water, and it's very difficult to treat."
This is why we need to do our part. Picking up after ourselves and our pets will help prevent waste buildup, poor drainage, and flooding.
"One of our biggest pollutants is E-Coli. It's a really good habit to pick up after your pets," Pendle added.
In addition to properly disposing pet waste and garbage, Pendle recommends these at-home practices:
- Recycle your automobile oil at designated facilities.
- Avoid using pesticides on a windy or rainy day.
- Empty pool water into the sanitary sewer cleanout while backwashing or discharging your pool
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